


1 



f 



ENGLISH GRAMMAR, 

MADE EASY TO 

THE TEACHER AND PUPIL, 

ORIGINALLY COMPILED 

FOR THE USE OF 

WEST-TOWN BOARDING SCHOOL, 

PENNSYLVANIA. 



BY JOHN COMLY. 



The Thirteenth Editkm Corrected and much Improve^ 



PHILADELPHIA: 

PUBLISHED BY KIMBER AND SHARPLESS, 

No. 93 Market-street 

J. Rnkestraw, Printer* 

1823. 



Eastern District of Pennsylvania, to wit i 
^s^A-o BE IT 11EMEMB EKED, That on the eighth 
c 3 day of May, in the forty-fifth year of the Inde* 

? SKAL * S pendence of the United States of America, 
V^wJ A. D. 1821, Kimber and Sharpless, of the said 
district, have deposited in this office the title of a book, 
the right whereof^hey claim as proprietors, in the words 
following, to wit : 

« English Grammar, made easy to the Teacher and 
Pupil. Originally compiled for the use of West- 
Town Boarding School, Pennsylvania. By John 
Comly. The eleventh edition corrected and much 
improved." 
In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United 
States, intituled, " An act for the encouragement of learn- 
ing, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, 
to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the 
times therein mentioned. 5 '— And also to the act, entitled, 
« An act supplementary to an act, entitled, « An act for 
the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of 
maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors 
of such copies during the times therein mentioned,' and 
extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, 
aneravinff , and etching historical and other prints." 
5 D, CALDWELL, 

Glerk »f the Eastern District of Pennsylvania* 



1AM Bjk 



PREFACE. 



IT may be proper to observe, that the author 
I of this compilation has studied so to abridge 
| and arrange the definitions and rules necessary 
| to be committed to memory, as not to burden 
the pupil ; and yet, by the frequent repetition 
and application of them in parsing, to render 
them clear and explicit. As it is found that 
no advantage arises from burdening the me- 
mories of children with a multitude of precepts 
which they do not comprehend, the compile* 
has interspersed a number of examples for pars- 
ing, wherein, after a few of the definitions are 
committed to memory, they may be repeated 
and explained till they are well understood, as 
well as more deeply imprinted on the mind. 

Such parts as appear most necessary to be 
committed to memory are exhibited in a larger 
type. The notes and observations should, never- 
theless, be carefully perused by the learner. 

As rightly understanding a sentence depends 
very much on a knowledge of its grammatical 
construction, it is of importance that ilis stu*' 



4 PREFACE. 

dent should be able to resolve it into its compo- 
nent parts, and to ascertain whether these are 
properly arranged. A clear and comprehen- 
sive method of parsing, and of correcting false 
syntax, is essential to this attainment. These 
two objects have been principally aimed at in 
^the succeeding work, and it is hoped a proper 
attention to them will be found very beneficial 
to the learner in acquiring a knowledge of the 
language. 

In the eleventh edition, several alterations 
have been made in the definitions of the parts 
of speech and their subdivisions, in order to 
render them more explicit. Some superfluous 
notes, &c. have been omitted, and the number 
of examples for parsing, and of false sjntax, 
lias been increased. In the conjugation of verbs 
in the subjunctive mood, and in the correspond- 
ing rules of syntax, it is believed, such changes 
have been made, as will greatly diminish, if 
not entirely remove the difficulties which these 
parts of the subject have hitherto presented. 

J. "COMLY. 



ORTHOGRAPHY. 9 

changed into i before an additional syllable, as holy, holi- 
ness ; t xcept when the next s)dlable begins with a vowel ; 
as, deny, denying. But when y at the end of a word is 
preceded by a vowel, it is very seldom changed by the 
additional syllable. 

Rule 3. 
E final, or e at the end of a word, should be omitted 
when a syllable is added which begins with a vowel : as 
love, loving 9 he. except after c and g soft, before able &nd 
ible, as service, aervic able : But if the additional syllable 
begin with a consonant, the e should not be omitted : as 
peace fid. 

The words duly, truly, awful, judgment, abridgment, ac- 
knowledgment ^ are exceptions co this rule. 
Rule 4. 
A consonant at the end of a word, preceded by a single 
vowel, should be doubled on the addition of a syllable be- 
ginning with a vowel ; as begin, beginning , &c. 

But if it be preceded by a diphthong, or the accent be 
on the preceding syllable it should remain single ; as, toil, 
toiling, differ, difference, &c. 

Rule 5. 
Words ending in double I, having ?iess, less, ly, or fidl 9 
added to them, generally omit one / } as fulness, skilful 
But words ending in any other double letter, retain both 
when these syllables are added to them ; as harmless?iess, 
carelessness. 

Rule 6. 
Words derived from words ending in ce or ck, are writ- 
ten with ci in the additional syllable, as grace, gracious, &c. 
Those derived from words ending in d, s, or se, should 
be spelled with si ,- as descend, descension, ;,c. and those 
from words ending in t, or te with ti ; as, sect, section, kc. 
except such as are derived from words ending in mit, or 
vert, which take Mr as omit, omission. 
Rule 7. 
Words taken into composition, often drop those letters 
(, which are superfluous in their simples ; as haneifid, also, 

■ 



10 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

The following Rules show the most useful methods of 
dividing 1 words into syllables. 

Rule 1. 

A single consonant between two vowels must be joined 
to the latter ; as be-gin : except the letter x ; as ex-ist, &c 
and words compounded; as up-on, dis-ease. 

Rule 2. 
Two consonants proper to begin a word, must not be 
separated ; as fa-ble : But when they come between two 
vowels, and are such as eannot begin a word, they must 
be divided ; as un-der, in-sect. 

Rule 3. 
When three consonants meet in the middle of a word 
and are proper to begin a word, if the preceding vowel 
be pronounced long, they must not be separated ; as de* 
throne. But when the vowel of the preceding syllable is 
pronounced short, one of the consonants must always be 
joined with it ; as dis-tract, dis-prove. 

Rule 4 
When three or four consonants, which are not proper 
to begin a word, meet between two vowels, the first con* 
sonant should always be joined to the preceding vowel ; 
as com-plete, con-strain. 

Rule 5. 

Two vowels, not being a diphthong, must generally be 
divided into separate syllables ; as cre-ate, deni-al. 

Rule 6. 

Compounded words must be traced into the simple 
words of which they are composed, and divided accord- 
ingly ; as good-ness, over-power. 

Rule 7. 

Grammatical terminations are generally separated ; as 
teach-est, lov-ed. 

The best and most general direction for dividing ti 
syllables in spelling, is to divide them as they are naturally 
separated in a right pronunciation. 



11 

ETYMOLOGY. 

The second part of Grammar is Etymology j 
which treats of the different sorts of words, or 
parts of speech, and their variations. 

The names of the parts of speech, are Arti- 
cle, noun, adjective, pronoun, verh, participle, 
adverb, conjunction, preposition, and interjec- 
tion. 

ARTICLE. 

An article is a part of speech placed before 
nouns. The articles are a or an, and the. 

NOUN. 

A noun is the name of any thing that we can 
see, hear, taste, smell, feel, or discourse of; 
as man, apple, jire 9 virtue. 

ADJECTIVE. 

An adjective is a word used to express some 
quality or property of a noun, or to show the 
extent of its signification ; as good, wise, this, 
that, one, two. 

PRONOUN. 

A pronoun is a word used instead of a noun ; 
as, The boy is diligent ; he improves. 

VERB. 

A verb is a part of speech, which signifies 
to be, to act, or to receive an action ; as I am, I 
love, I am loved* 

PARTICIPLE. 

A participle is a word derived from a verb, 



12 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

partaking of the nature of a verb and an adjec- 
tive, and is generally formed by adding ing 9 ed, 
d, t, or ?i, to the verb. ~ 

ADVERB. 

An adverb is a word used to modify the 
meaning of- a 'verb, participle, adjective, or 
another adverb : as He acts prudently. 

CONJUNCTION. 

A conjunction is a word used to join words 
or sentences together, and to show the manner 
of their dependanee on each other ; as and, but. 

PREPOSITION. 

A preposition is a word used to show the 
relation of different words to each other, and 
generally points to a following noun or pro- 
noun ; as in, with, to. 

INTERJECTION. 

An interjection is a word which expresses a 
Sudden emotion of the mind ; as Oh! alas! 

As soon as the pupil has committed the preceding 
definitions of the parts of speech to memory, he may be 
exercised in parsing, or applying them to the different 
words which compose a sentence, in the following man- 
ner : 

The industrious bees return to. their hive, 
loaded with honey and wax. 

The..,.. „.,„„ an article. An article is a part of speed 
placed before nouns. 



ETYMOLOGY. 



16 



industrious, an adjeetive. 



a noun. 

return a verb. 

to .. .a preposition. 

their ...a pronoun. 

hive... *....a noun. 

loaded a participle. 



with a preposition. 

honey... * a noun. 

and... .,.a conjunction. 



An adjective is a word used to 
express some quality or pro- 
perty of a noun, or to show 
the extent of its signification. 
A noun is the name of any 
thing* that we can see, hear, 
taste, smell, feel, or discourse 
of. 
A verb is a part of speech 
which signifies to be 9 to at% 
or to receive an action. 
A preposition is a word used to 
show the relation of different 
w r ords to each other, and ge- 
nerally points to a following 
noun or pronoun. 
A pronoun is a word used in- 
stead of a noun 
A noun is the name of any thing 1 

that we can see, hear. &c. 
A participle is a word derived 
from a verb, partaking of the 
nature of a verb, and an ad- 
jective, and is generally form- 
ed by add ng ing, ed, d 9 t, or 
n, to the verb 

A preposition is a word used 
to show the relation of differ- 
ent words "o each other, and 
generally points to a follow- 
ing noun or pronoun. 
A noun is the name of any thing 
that we can see, hear, taste, 
&c. 

A conjunction is a word used 
to join wor.ts or sentences 
together, and to show the 
manner of their dependant 
on each other 

B 



14 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

wax«...*....«rr.«...a noun. A noun is the name of any thing 
that we can see, hear, taste> 
smell, fcc. 

EXAMPLES FOR PARSING. 

A house, a garden, a field, and a meadow. 

An apple, an orange, and a plum are whole* 
some fruits. 

The rainbow on the clouds, is a beautiful 
sight. 

An obedient son gives joy to his father and 
mother. 

Shady trees form a delightful arbour in the 
heat of summer. 

A peaceful mind makes a serene counte- 
nance. 

John is an industrious boy ; he studies his 
lesson diligently. 

His brother sent him a knife, a book, a box 
©f wafers, and an inkstand. 

James rode on a fine horse, and went from 
Darby to Philadelphia in an hour. 

How sweetly the birds sing. 

I saw him once, and perhaps I shall see him 
again shortly. 

By promoting the welfare of his neighbours, 
lie gained their esteem. 

She bought her needles and scissors of the 
pedlar who was here yesterday. 

Oh, peace ! how desirable art thou ! 

Sarah writes very neatly, and spells her 
words correctly. 






ETYMOLOGY. 15 

The school was very large, when William 
left it. 



OF THE NOUN. 

A noun is the name of any thing that we can 
see, hear, taste, smell, feel, or discourse of; 
as, man, apple, Jive, virtue, &c. 

Nouns are sometimes divided into proper and common. 

A noun proper is the name of a particular person, place 
or thing' ; as, William, London, Brandy-wine, 

A noun common is the name of a sort or species of 
things ; as, man, river, city. 

A noun which is the name of a company, or body of 
people, is called a collective noun, or noun of multitude / as 
family, a/t&embly, committee. 



OF THE PRONOUN. 

A pronoun is a word used instead of a noun ; 
as, " The boy is diligent ; he improves. 5 ' 

There are three kin< s of pronouns, personal, 
relative and interrogative. 

PERSONAL. 

I, thou, he, she, it, and tneir variations, are 
called personal pronouns. 

RELATIVE. 

Who, which, what, and that, are called rela- 
tive pronouns. 

INTERROGATIVE. 

Who, and sometimes what and which, are 



16* ENGLISH GRAMMAK. 

called interrogative pronouns when used in 
asking questions. 

Whoever, whatever 9 and sometimes what, 
are called compound relative pronouns; they 
represent a noun and relative pronoun. 

Interrogative pronouns are the same as relative, only 
their antecedents cannot be determined till the answer is 
given fo the question, 

EXAMPLES EOR PARSING, 

In which the division of the pronouns should be 
repeated. 

William is a wise man, he acts prudently. 

William a noun. A noun is the name of any thing- 

that we can see, hear, &c. 

is a verb. A verb is apart of speech which 

signifies to be, to act, or to re- 
ceive an action. 

a * an article. An article is a part of speech 

placed before nouns. 

wise..: a£ adjective. An adjective is a word used to 

express some quality or pro- 
perty of a noun, or to show 
the extent of its signification. 

mail a noun. * A noun is the name of any thing 

we can see, kc. 

he, a personal pronoun. I, thou, he, she, it, are called 

personal pronouns. 

acts. a verb. A verb is a part of speech which 

signifies to he, to act, or to re- 
ceive an action. 

prudently... «.a»i adverb. An adverb is a word used to- 
modify the meaning of a verb, 
participle, adjective, or au- 
other adverb. 



ETYMOLOGY. 17 

The diligent farmer generally raises a good 
crop. 

James and John went from the city to Darby 
in a chair. 

Thomas is a man who is very useful j he is 
kind to poor people. 

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness 
thereof. 

Thou art a friend whom I love sincerely. 

The true worship of God is an important and 
awful service. 

Who is like unto the Lord in glory ? 

The book which 1 bought, is a very valuable 
treatise. 

William Penn, who founded Philadelphia, 
was a very pious man. 

There are four things belonging to nouns 
and pronouns j namely, person, number, gender, 
and case. 

person. 

There are three persons which may be the 
subject of a discourse. 

The Jivst person is the person who speaks ; 
as, I, we. 

The second person is the person or thing spo- 
ken to ; as, thou, child. 

The third person is the person or thing spo- 
ken of; as, he, she, man, city. 

Nouns are always of the third person, except when an 
address is made in the second person. 
B % 



18 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

NUMBER. 

There are two numbers, the singular ana 
plural. 

The singular number implies but one : as 

book. 

The plural number expresses more than one : 
as books. 

The plural number of nouns is regularly formed by 
adding 5 or es to the singular, as, book, books, bush, bushel. 

But many plurals are formed irregularly ; as man, men , 
foot, feet; child, children. 

If the singular end in y preceded by a consonant, the 
plural must end m ies ; as beauty, beauties. If the sin- 
gular end in f or fe the plural must end in ves ; as, knife, 
knives; woJj, wolves, &c. ; except relief, reproof, and some 
others. J 

Some nouns have no plural ; as wheat, rye, pitch, gold 

Some have no singular ; as bellows, lungs, tomrs, scissors. 

Some &re vised alike in both numbers; as sheep, deer, 
j em, hose, means. 

Some appear to have a plural termination that are in 
the singular number ; as news, meazles, odde, gallows, 

EXAMPLES FOR PARSING, 

In which the person and number tf nouns and 
pronouns should be defined. 

The person and mraber of relative pronouns are de- 
termined only by their antecedents, with which thev 
agree. < * 

Sarah and thou are happy. 

Sarah, a noun, of the thi^d person singula! 

The third person is the person or thing spoken of 
The singular number implies but one. 



ETYMOLOGY. 19 

and, a conjunction. A conjunction is a word used to join 
words or sentences together, and to show the 
manner of their dependance on each other. 

thou, a personal pronoun, of the second person singular. 
I, thou, he, she, it, are called personal pro- 
nouns. 
The second person is the person spoken to. 
The singular number implies but one. 

are, a verb. A verb is a part of speech which signifies 
to be, to act, or to receive an action. 

happy, an adjective. An adjective is a word used to ex- 
press some quality or property of a noun, or to 
show the extent of its signification. 

Flattering friends are worse than open ene- 
mies. t 
Thy brother and thou are very industrious j 

vou study diligently. 

Children, be obedient to your parents, and 
honour them. 

How greatly the kind offices of an affec- 
tionate child gladden the heart of a parent, 
especially when sinking under age or infirmi- 
ties! 

They and we have need of more stability 

and sobriety. 

CASE. 

Case is a change or difference in the ter 
mination or situation of a noun or pronoun. 

Nouns and pronouns have three cases, the 
nominative, possessive, and objective. 

The nominative case is simply the name of 
a thing, or the state of a noun o* pronoun vrhen 
it is the subject of a verb \ as I walk. 



20 ENGLISH GEAMMAE. 

The possessive ease denotes property or uos- 
session ; as thy book. 

■A«!! e p0SS ?f ive case of noun s ?s generally formed by 
adding .with an apostrophe to the nominative, or an 

tTvetnlfn . ym the P ,uraI ™«°- when th^omina" 

The objective case is the state of a noun or 
pronoun, when it is the object of a transitive 
verb, participle, or preposition j as 1 taught 

The objective case of nouns has the same form as the 
nominative, and is only distinguished by the rektion in 
which it is used, or its situation in the sentence. 

GESDEE. 

Gender is the distinction of sex. There 
are three genders, the masculine, feminine, and 
neuter. ° 

The masculine gender denotes animals of the 
male kind. 

The feminine gender denotes animals of the 
female kind. 

The neuter gender is applied to things that 
are neither male nor female. 

cl^rj >0m % natUra,Iy neUter ' are ' h ? a % ure of speech 
railed personification, converted into the masculine or 
femmme gender. Sun, me, death, sleep, are masculine^ 
iMTth rnoon, boat, vencl city, church, country, nature, r Ji, 

ThXVff J S0< - M P>fi ddle > ^d virtue and vice, with 
their different species, are feminine. 

Some nouns are either masculine or feminine- as Parent 
cfcA4 tornin, friend, rtrwt* neighbor, ^Z/kt 



ETYMOLOGY. 



21 



DECLENSION 

OF NOUNS AND PRONOUNS. 

A noun is declined in the following manner. 

Plural. 
Nom. books. 



Singular. 



Nominative case, book. 



Possessive, 
Objective, 

Singular. 
Nom. man, 
Poss* man's, 
Obj. man. 



book's 
book. 



Poss. books'. 
Obj. books. 
Plural. 
Nom. men. 
Poss. men's. 
Obj. men. 



The personal pronouns are thus declined. 
I, thejirst person. 

Singular. Plural. 

Nom. I, Nom. we, 

Poss. my, or mine, Poss. our or ours, 

Obj, me. Obj. us. 

Thou, the second person. 
Sin?:. Plur. 

Nom. thou, Nom, ye or you, 

Poss. .thy, or thine, Poss. your or yours, 

Obj. thee. Obj. you. 





He, she. 


iU 


the third person. 




He, 


masculine gander. 


Sing. 








Phir. 


). he, 








Nom* they* 


| Miim 








Poss. their, 








Obj, them. 



or theirs, 



22 ENGLISH GRAMMAK* 

She, feminine. 
Sing. , Plur. 

Norn, she, Norn, they, 

Poss. her, or hers, Poss. their, or theirs, 



Obj. her* 




Obj. them. 




It, 


neuter. 


Sing. 




Plur. 


Nom. it, 




Nom. they, 


Poss. its, 




Poss. their, 


Obj. it. 




Obj. them. 



Where there are two forms of the possessive case, as 
thy or thine, the former is used with a noun, the latter 
when the noun is understood, but not expressed. 

The noun self, is frequently joined with the personal 
pronouns ; as himself, herself, itsef, ourselves, yourselves, 
themselves, and expresses emphasis or opposition, or forms 
what some call a reciprocal pronoun ; but such compound 
pronouns are still properly termed personal pwnouns. 

The relative who, and its compound who- 
ever, or whosoever, are thus declined : 

Sing, and Plur. Sing, and Plur. 

Nom* who, Nom. whosoever, 

Pcvss. whose, Poss. whosesoever, 

Ohj. whom. Obj. whomsoever. 

Which, what, and that, have no variations of case, and 
are used alike in both numbers. 

fVho relates to persom, and which to things ; they have 
no variation by number or person, which is known or.l 
by their antecedent nouns or pronouns. 

That relates either to persons or things, and i^ 
mined in number, gender, and person, by its ant' 
noun 05 pronoun-. 



ETYMOLOGY. 23 

That is a relative pronoun, when it may be changed 
to who or which; an adjective, when it is' followed by a 
noun expressed or understood; in all other places it is a 
conjunction. 

EXAMPLES FOR PARSING, 

In which the gender of nouns, and the gender 
and case of pronouns should be defined. 

A good boy loves his book. 

A, an article. An article is a part of speech placed be- 
fore a noun, 
good, an adjective. An adjective is a word used to ex- 
press some quality, &c. 
boy, a noun, of the third person singular, masculine geiv- 
der. 
The third person is the person or thing spoken o£ 
The singular number implies but one. 
The masculine gender denotes animals of the male 
kind, 
loves, a verb. A verb is a part of speech which signifies 

to be, to act, or to receive an action, 
his, a personal pronoun, of the third person singular, mas- 
culine gender, possessive case. 
I, thou, he, she, it, are called personal pronouns. 
The third person is the person or thing spoken of, 
The singular number implies but one. 
The masculine gender denotes animals of the male 

kind. 
The possessive case denotes property or possession, 
book, a noun, of the third person singular, neuter gen- 
der. 
The third person is the person or thing spoken of 
The singular number implies but one. 
The neuter gender is applied to tilings tha* are 
neither male nor female,- 



24 ENGXISH GRAMMAR. 

She rejoiced to see her father and mother. 

William was a very good boy ; his disposi- 
tion was mild and affable. 

In all her conduct, she manifested her pru« 
dence and' sobriety. 

The country, the valleys and the mountains, 
the rivers and the sea, proclaim the goodness 
of God, who giveth them beauty. 

Narrow is the wav that leads to life. 



ADJECTIVE. 

An adjective is a word used to express some 
quality or property of a noun, or to show the 
extent of its signification ; as good, wise, this* 
that, one, two. 

Most adjectives are varied by comparison. 

There are commonly reckoned three degrees 
of comparison; the positive, comparative, and 
superlative. 

The positive degree is the adjective itself 
simply $ as hard, soft, good. 

The comparative degree increases or lessens 
the signification of the positive ; as harder, 
softer, better. 

The stiperlative degree increases or lessens 
the signification of the positive to the highest 
or lowest degree ; as hardest, softest, best. 

Adjectives are regularly compared, when the compara- 
tive degree is formed by the addition of r or er, and tire 
superlative by st or est, to the positive ; as 

Positive. Comparative. Superlative, 

large, larger, largest, 

small, * smaller, smallest 



ETYMOLOGY. 25 

Or, by prefixing the adverb mure, for the comparative 
degree, and most, for the superlative ; as 

Pos- Com. Sup. 

wise, more wise, most wise. 

virtuous, more virtuous, most Virtuous* 

b The comparative degree is sometimes formed oj prefix- 
ing" the adverb less, and the superlative by least ; as 
Pos - Com. Sup. 

amiable, less amiable, least amiable. 

able v less able, least able. 

Monosyllables, for the most part are compared by er 
and est; and dissyllables by more and wiois^y as mild, 
milder, mildest; frugal, more frugal most frugal. Some 
dissyllables ending in y or le, or such as are accented on 
the last syllable, easily admit of being compared by er 
and est,- as happy, happier, happiest ; able, abler, ablest. 
But words of more than two syllables are nearly always 
compared by more and most. 

In some words the superlative degree is formed by ad- 
ding the adverb most to the end of them ; as nethermost, 
uttermost, uppermost, foremost, &c. 

Some adjectives may be compared with equal proprie- 
ty by er and est, or by more and most, in such cases the 
easy flow and perspicuity of the style should be regarded. 
The following adjectives are irregularly compared, 
p °s. ' Com. Sup. 

Good, better, best, 

bad, worse, worst, 

little, less, least, 

much, or many, more, most. 

** ear » nearer, nearest, or next . 

^ le ' later, latest, or last. 

far > farther, farthest. 

Adjectives which cannot be increased or decreased in 
their signification do not admit of comparison ; as all, any, 
round, square. 

One, two, three, twenty, thirty, &o are sometimes 
called numeral adjectives, 

c 



26 ENGLISH GRAM M AH. 

A word which is sometimes used as an ad- 
jective, and sometimes as a pronoun, is called 
a pronominal adjective. 

Pronominal adjectives, when used as pro- 
nouns, have number, case, gender, and person ; 
when joined with nouns, they relate to them as 
oiher adjectives. 

The pronominal adjectives this, that, one, other, and 
another, are declined in the following' manner : 

Sing. this. Plur. these* Sing 1 , that. Plur. those. 
Sing. Plur. 

Nom. one, Nom. ones, 

Poss. one's, Poss. ones', . 

Obj. one. Obj. ones. 

Sing. Plur. 

Nom. other, Nom. others, 

Poss. other's, Poss. others', 

Obj. other. Obj. others. 

Another is declined in the same manner but wants the 
plural. 

EXAMPLES GE PARSING, 

In which the degrees of comparison should be 
deJineiL and the relation of adjectives to nouns 
expressed. 

As the positive cannot be properly called a degree, but 
only the simple state of the adjective, it is unnecessary, in 
parsing, to annex any degree to it, except it be in the 
comparative or superlative. 

A^i *s was a wise man, but John is wiser. 

Amos, a noun, of the third person singular. 

The third person is the person or thing spoken *£ 
The singular number implies hut one 



ETYMOLOGY. 27 

was, a verb. A verb is a part of speech which signifies 

to be, to act, or to receive an action, 
a, an article. An article is a part of speech placed before 

nouns, 
wise, an adjective, relating to the noun man. 

An adjective is a word used to express some quality 

or property of a noun, or to show the extent of its 

signification, 
man. a noun, of the third person singular. 

The third person is the person or thing spoken of. 

The singular number implies but one. 
but, a conjunction. A conjunction is a word, &c. 
John, a noun, of the third person singular. 
is, a verb. A verb is a part of speech, &c 
wiser, an adjective of the comparative degree, relating to 
f the noun man understood. 

An adjective is a part of speech used to express 
some quality or property of a noun, or to show 
the extent of its signification. 

The comparative degree increases or lessens the 
signification of the positive. 

A serene mind makes a cheerful counte- 
nance. 

A regular and virtuous education is an in- 
estimable blessing. 

She is a better reader than her sister, and 
has a clearer voice. 

It is the highest ingratitude to overlook a 
thousand blessings, and murmur at one afflic- 
tion. 

James is a more learned man than John, but 
less eloquent. 

Think not the longest life the happiest. 

Time, well employed, does man the greatest 
honour. 



28 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 






The most acceptable sacrifice is that 1 * of a 
contrite heart. 

VERB. 

A verb is a part of speech which signifies to 
he, to act, or to receive an action ; as I am 9 I 
love, I am loved 

There aee three kinds of verbs ; active? pas- 
sive, and neuter. 

An active verb exp^f $«.-r the action of its 
subject or no nin tive; as %f'j)? writes* 

A passive verb si^nifi^s chat its subject >r 
nominative is passive, and receives an action ; 
as Peter is b°if°\ 

A neater verb exprtsses neither action nor 
passion, but simply bfciijgj* or a slate or condi- 
tion of being : as I am* I sit 

Examples for the exercise of the pupil in dis* 
tmguishing tht &iff$rwtl binds of verbs. 
I write. He ^valks. 
Th>\y are taf?-j;h', Wfe were favoured. 
He lived in town. They are wise men. 
J a in e s re ad s v <~ r y w e|J. 
You are deceived by them. 
He moieed at (be event? 
The task was perform* d. 
The book lies on r \ie table. 

* That, a pronominal adjective of the third person /Sin- 
gular. 



ETYMOXOtiY. 29 

Joseph desired to be remembered by thee* 
Thomas rode so fast that we could not over* 
take him. 

I have searched, and have found it. 
The garden was enlarged* 

Active verbs are either transitive or intran- 
sitive. 

An active verb is transitive when the action 
passes o er from the subject or nominative to 
an object, or following noun or pronoun 5 as 
« James reads his lessen^* 

In this example, the action of the verb reads, passes 
from the subject or nominative James, to the noun lesson, 
which is its object : therefore the verb reads is a transitive 
active verb. 

The object of a transitive verb may be known by an- 
swering" the question who or what with the verb ; thus in 
the sentence " John loves play," the answer to the ques- 
tion " What does John love?" is play; therefore play is 
the object of the transitive active verb loves. 

An active verb is intransitive whn the ac- 
tion does not pass over to an object, but is con^ 
fined within the verb ; as f* The birds fly." 

In this example the action of flying does not pass over 
to any object, but is confined to the verb ; therefore the 
verb fly is an intransitive active verb. 

Many active verbs are used both in a transitive and in- 
transitive signification, the construction only determining 
of which kind they are ; thus in the sentence, " She reads 
well ;" the verb reads is an intransitive active verb, be- 
cause no object is expressed or clearly understood, on 
which the action of the verb passes- But in the phrase,, 

c a 



34) EXGLISH GRAMMAR. 

" She reads her lesson ;-" the verb reads is transitive ; the 
action passing* over to the noun lesson. 

Sometimes the object of a transitive verb xS understood 
but not expressed ; this does not alter the nature of the 
verb, where the object is clearly implied. 

Between verbs active and neuter-, there is a slow grada- 
tion from activity to inactivity ; to define this, and mark 
exactly its several steps, is a very nice point. In general 
the sense and construction must determine the degree of 
activity or inactivity, and accordingly they must be ranked 
with active or neuter verbs. 

Some verbs are used both in. an active and- neuter sig- 
nification, which is determined only by the construction ; 
as in the phrase, " The curtains hang." The verb hang- 
is a neuter verb, expressing only a state or manner of be- 
ing , but in the phrase " She hangs the curtains," the 
verb hangs is a transitive active verb. 

That an action may terminate on some object, or, that 
it may have no effect on any thing beyond the actor or 
agent, is also evident. Hence active verbs are properly 
divided into transitive and intransitive, wiiich denote the 
passing over, or not passing over of the action to an ob- 
ject. But as neuter verbs express no kind of action, but , 
simply being, existence or a state of being, there can be 
no propriety in calling them intransitive verbs ; and to 
rank intransitive active verbs with those that are strictly 
neuter must tend to "perplex rather than assist the 
learner." For, after a pupil has learned that a verb sig- 
nifies to do, and that to do is active, how greatly must he 
be perplexed and embarrassed when he is told that to 
7vatfc, to laugh, to run, &c. are neuter verbs ! Yet such is 
the distribution of verbs in many dictionaries, and admit- 
ted by too many authors and teachers. 

If our definition of a verb, and the arrangement of 
transitive or intransitive active, passive, and neuter verbs, 
are properly understood, we do not conceive that the 
difference, as some apprehend, between verbs absolutely 
neuter (expressing no kind of action at all) and those in- 
transitively active (expressing action) can be " very diffi- 
cult to be ascertained." 



ETYMOLOGY, 31 

Verbs are principally conjugated by the help 
of auxiliaries ; as be, have, will, &c. 

The principal auxiliaries are, do, be, have, shall, icill, 
may, can, with their variations, and must, which has no 
variation. 

To verbs belong number, person, mood, and 
tense. 

NUMBER AND PERSON. 

Verbs have two numbers, the singular and 
plural ; as " He reads, ihey read." 

In each number there are three persons ; as 

Singular. Plural. 

First person, I love, 1. We love. 

Second person, Thou lovest, 2. You love, 

Ti ird person. He loves, 3. They love. 

The second person singular is regularly formed by 
ding st or est to the first person, except in some of the 
auxi hries, 

The third person singular is of the same form as the 
first, except in the indicative mood present and perfect 
tenses — where it ends in s or th. 

The different persons of the plural number have no va- 
riation of ending, and are always like the first person sin- 
gular, except in the verb be. 

When a verb is compounded with an auxiliary, the 
auxiliary only changes its ending to express the different 
persons, and the principal verb remains the same ; if 
there are several auxiliaries, the first only changes its 
ending ; as " I have loved, thou hast loved, he has loved ; 
thou mip-hist haye loved," &c. 

MOOD. 

Mood is a particular form of the verb, show 



82 ENGLISH GRAMMAR* 

ing the manner in which the being, action, or 
passion is represented. 

The nature and use of a mood consist in the changes 
which the verb undergoes, to express various intentions 
of the mind, and various modifications and circumstances 
of action. 

There are five moods ; the Indicative, the 
Imperative, the Potential, the Subjunctive, and 
the Infinitive. 

The Indicative mood simply indicates or de- 
clares a thing ; as I see ; they know ; or asks 
a question ; as *« Dost thou know V 

The Imperative mood is used for command- 
ing, exhorting, intreating or permitting; as 
<* Depart thou ; mind ye ; go in peace." 

The Imperative mood is used only in the second person 
♦ in both numbers. 

The Potential mood implies power, liberty, 
duty, will, or obligation ; as " I can walk j 
they should know." 

By this mood also a question may be asked ; as " May 
I go V* " Could he understand ?" 

The potential mood may be known by the auxiliaries 
aqmtfi can, must, might* could, -would and should. 

The Subjunctive mood represents a thing 
under a condition, supposition, or contin- 
gency, and is preceded by a conjunction, ex- 
pressed or understood, and attended by another 
verb ; as «* If he were good, lie would be 
happy. 



ETYMOLOGV. 33 

The infinitive mood expresses a thing in a 
general and unlimited manner, without any 
distinction of number or person ; as "To love, 
to walk." 

OF TENSE. 

Tense is the distinction of the time in which 
an action or event occurs* 

There are six tenses ; the Present; the Im~ 
perfect; the Perfect: the Pluperfect; the First 
and Second Futures. 

The present tense represents an action or 
event as passing, or existing at the time in 
which it is mentioned: as "I write; he is 
loved ; they think." 

The present tense is also used in speaking of actions 
continued, with occasional intermissions, to the present 
time ; as " He frequently rides ; she walks out every 
morning." It is even sometimes applied to represent the 
actions of persons long* since dead, as transacting at the 
present time ; as Seneca reasons well ;" " Only by pride 
cometh contention, says Solomon." 

When the present tense is preceded by the words 
when, before, after, till, as soon as, it is sometimes used to 
point out the relative time, of a future action, as brought 
into present view ; as " When the stage arrives, we shall 
hear from home ;" " Before he returns he will probably 
hear the news ; or at least soon after he arrives. J> 

The imperfect tense is used to show that the 
action or event took place, at or during a 
period of time fully past ; as I i£;rofe,yesterday. 

The perfect tense indicates that the action 



34 ENGLISH GRAMBffAB. 






or event occurred within a period of time 
which has not yet fully past ; as She has writ- 
ten this week. 

This tense as well as the imperfect, denotes a thing 1 as 
past ; but this in such a manner that the action or event is 
connected with the present time, and ihere is still ac- 
tually remaining' some part of the space of time to slide 
away, wherein we declare, that the thing' has been done ; 
as " I have seen him to-day ; ,; . whereas the imperfect 
tense denotes the action or event as fully past and finished, 
In such a manner, that none of the space of time remains 
therein it was done ; as "1 saw him last week." 

The pluperfect tense represents a thing, not 
only as past, but also as prior to another event 
or point of time which is past ; as She had 
written her letter before he arrived. 

The first future tense represents the ac- 
tion or event as yet to come ; as " The sun 
will rise to-morrow j w if I shall see them 
again." 

The second future tense intimates that the 
action or event will be fully past or accom- 
plished, at or before a future time, action or 
event, to which it refers; as "I shall have 
dined before one o'clock." 



OF THE PARTICIPLES- 

A participle is a word derived from a verb, 
partaking of the nature of a verb and an ad- 
jective, and is generally formed by adding ing* 
ed, d 3 i> or n, to the verb* 



ETYMOLOGY. 3 3 

There are three participles ; the present or 
active, the perfect or passive, and the compound 
perfect ; as from the verb love, are derived the 
participles loving* loved, and having loved. 

The present or active participle is formed by adding 
ing to the verb, and expresses an action or event as be- 
gun and not ended ; as " I saw him labouring in th© 
field." 

When this participle is derived from an active verb, 
it is called an active participle ; but when it is derived 
from a neuter or passive verb, it is called a present parti- 
ciple. 

The perfect or passive participle is generally formed by 
adding ed, d, t, or n? to the verb, and refers to an action, 
passion, or event, as perfect and finished ; as "A man 
heated with li quor, " 

This participle when derived from a neuter or intransi- 
tive verb, is called the perfect participle, because intransi- 
tive and neuter verbs do not express a passion or suf- 
fering. 

When these participles do not convey the idea of 
time, they become adjectives, and express the quality 
of the noun to which they relate. In general when they 
are placed after nouns they are participle^ and when 
fhey precede nouns, they are adjectives of quality. Thus 
the phrases, " A man loving to give, as well as receive :'* 
* A person moving in haste, heated with liquor, 5 ' contain 
participles giving the idea of time : but in the expres- 
sions, " a loving child,'* "a moving spectacle," " a heated 
imagination," the same words mark the qualities referred 
to without any regard to time, and are properly termed 
adjectives. 

The compound perfect participle is formed by prefixing 
the auxiliary having to the perfect* or passive participle, 
thus, loved, having loved. 

Participles sometimes perform the office of nouns, and 
are used as such ; as in the following instates ; " Tbt 
b-eginning :" "a good understanding" 



36 ENGLISH GRAMMAR, 

A present or active participle, or a com- 
pound perfect participle, preceded by an arti- 
cle, or a noun or pronoun in the possessive 
case, becomes a noun, and is property called a 
participial noun. 

Of the Conjugation of Verbs. 

The conjugation of a verb is the regular 
combination and arranjrem ei * of its several 
moods, tenses, numbers and persons. 

Vefbs are called regular, when they form 
the imperfect tense of the indicative mood and 
the perfect or passive participle, by the addi- 
tion of ed or d to the present tense ; as present, 
1 love; imperfect* I loved ; perfect participle, 
loved; those which vary from this rule, are 
called irregular ; as pres. I write ; imperf. / 
wrote; perfect part, written. 

Conjugation of the regular active verb, 
Love. 

Ind. pres. Love. Imp, Loved. 

Perf. part. Loved. 

INDICATIVE MOOD. 

The indicative mood simply indicates or declares a 
thinef ; or asks a question. It is used in all the tenses 5 
thus; : 

v Present tense. 

' Sing. PJuiv 

ii person, I love, 1. We love, 

2. Thou lovest, % You love, 

S. He loveth, or loves. 3. They love. 



ETYMOLOGY. 3? 

When energy or positiveness is intended, the auxiliary 
do should precede the verb ; thus i 

Sing. Plur. 

1. 1 do love, 1. We do love, 

2. Thou dost love, 2. Ye do love, 

3. He doth, or does love. 3. They do love. 

Imperfect tense^ 
The imperfect tense, in the indicative mood 
of all regular verbs, is formed by adding d or 
ed, to the present j as love, loved ; thus : 

Sing. Plur* 

1. I loved, 1. We loved, 

2. Thou lovedst, 2. You loved, 

3. He loved. 3. They loved. 

Or, by prefixing the auxiliary did to the 
present tense ; thus : 

Sing. Plur. 

1. I did love, 1. We did love, 

2. Thou didst love, 2. You did love, 

3. He did love. 3- They did love.. 

Perfect tense. 
The perfect tense, in the indicative mood, is 
formed by prefixing the auxiliary have to the 
perfect or passive participle ; thus : 

Sing. Plur. 

1. I have loved, 1. We have loved, 

2. Thou hast loved, 2. You have loved, 

3. He has loved. 3. They have loved. 

Pluperfect tense. 
The pluperfect tense in the indicative mood 
D 



3S ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

is formed by prefixing the auxiliary- Aad to the 
passive participle ; thus : 

Singular. Plural. 

1. I had loved, 1. We had loved, 

ft Thou hadst loved, .2. You had loved, 

3. He had loved. 3. They had loved* 

First future tense. 
The first future tense in the indicative mood 
is formed by prefixing the auxiliary shall or 
tvill to the present tense. 

Shall in the first person singular and plural, simply 
fore' ells; as " I shall go abroad;" " We shall dine at 
home '" in the second and third persons it promises, com- 
mands, or threatens : as " thou shalt have it ;" " Ye shall 
go;' " He shall answer for it." 

Will in the first person singular and plural, expresses 
resolution and promising : as " I will strive to learn :" 
«< We wdl amencj our ways" In the second and third 
persons it only foretells ; as " Thou wilt repent of that 
folly :" " They will have a pleasant walk/' 

These definitions of the auxiliaries shall and -will are not 
to be understood of interrogative sentences, in which, for 
the most part, their meaning is just the reverse ; also when 
the verb is preceded by a conjunction expressing doubt 
or uncertainty, their signification is. somewhat different. 

Singular. Plural. 

1. I shall love, 1. We shall love, 

2. Thou shalt love, 2. You shall love, 
3o He shall love. 3. They shall love. 

Second future tense. 
The second future tense in the indicative 
mood, is formed by prefixing the auxiliaries 



ETYMOLOGY. ^ 

shall have, or will have, to the perfect or pas- 
sive participle ; thus : 

Singular. 

1. I shall have loved, 

2. Thou sltalt have loved, 

3. He shall have loved. 

Plural. 

1. We shall have loved, 

2. You shall have loved, 

3. They shall have loved. 

IMPERATIVE MOOD. 

The imperative mood is used for commanding, exhort- 
ing, entreating or permitting : and as the person or per- 
sons commanded, exhorted, &c. are always understood to 
be present, this mood is used only in the present tense, 
and the address made in the second person only ; thus: 

Singular. 
2. Love, or love thou. 

Plural. 
2. Love, or love you. 

POTENTIAL MOOD. 

The potential mood implies power, liberty, duty, will, 
or obligation : which is expressed by the auxiliary may, 
van, must, might, could, -would or should. This mood is 
used in all the tenses, except theirs* and second futures. 

The auxiliaries may and might, express the liberty or 
possibility of an action or event ; as " It may rain." "He 
may go." " They might have made more improvement." 
Can and could express power: as " He can read better 
than I ;" " They could go faster if they chose." 

Must denotes necessity or obligation ; as " Thou must 
strive to learn ;" " We must attend at the time appointed.*' 

Would denotes inclination or will, a<id should, obligation 
or duty ; but they both vary their import, and are often 
used to express simple events, 



4p ENGLISH GBAMMAR. 

Present tense. 
The present tense in the potential mood is 
formed b^ prefixing the auxiliary may, can, or 
must, to the present tense of the infinitive 
mood; thus: 

Sing. Plur. 

1. I may love, 1. We may love, 

2. Thou mayst love, 2. You may love, 

3. He may love. 3. They may love. 

Imperfect tense. 
The imperfect tense in the potential mood is 
formed by prefixing the auxiliary might, could, 
"would, or should* to the present tense of the 
infinitive mood; thus: 

Sing. Plur. 

4. I might love^ 1. We might love, 

2. Thou mightst love, 2. You might love, 

3. He might love. 3. They might love. 

Perfect tense. 
The perfect tense in the potential mood is 
formed by prefixing the auxiliaries may have, 
can have, or must have, to the perfect or pas* 
sive participle; thus: 

Singular. 1. I may have loved, 

2. Thou mayst have loved* 

3. He may have loved. 

Plural. 1. We may have loved, 

2. You may have loved, 

3. They may have loved^ 



ETYMOLOGY. 41 

Pluperfect tense. 
The pluperfect tense in the potential mood 
is formed by prefixing the auxiliaries, might 
have, could have, would have, or should have, 
to the perfect or passive participle ; thus : 
Singular. 1. I might have loved, 

2.. Thou mightst have loved* 
3. He might have loved. 

Plural. 1. We might have loved, 

2. You might have loved, 

3. They might have loved. 

SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD. 

The subjunctive mood represents a thing* under a- con- 
dition or contingency, and is preceded by a conjunction 
expressed or understood, and attended by another verb. 

Present tense. 

Sing. Plur. 

i If 1 love, l. If we Jove, 

2. If thou lovest, 2. If you love* 

3. If he loves.* 3, If they love, 

Imperfect tense. 
Sing. Plur. 

1. If I loved, 1. If we loved, 

2. If thou lovedst or loved, %. If you loved, 

3. If he loved. 3. If they loved. 

First future tense. 
The first future tense is formed by prefixing 

* Some writers use the singular number in the present 
tense of the subjunctive mood, without any variation ; as 
"if I love, if thou love, if he love." But this usage must 
be ranked amongst the anomalies of our language 
D 2 



&2 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

the auxiliary shall, should, or will, to the pr#* 
sent tense of the infinitive mood. 

Sing. Plur. 

1. If I (shall) love, 1. If we (shall) love, 

2. If thou (shait) love, 2. If you (shall) love, 

3. If he (shall) love. 3. U they shall} love. 
The three preceding tenses of the subjunctive mood, 

are all that are necessarily connected with the rules of syn- 
tax. But the >ther tenses, corresponding with those of the 
indicative or potential mood, when preceded by a con- 
junction and attended by another verb, expressing con- 
dition, or contingency, should be parsed in the subjunctive 
mood. 

As every verb of the subjunctive mood is attended by 
another verb in the indicative., the imperative, or potential 
mood, and this attending verb fixes the time with suffi- 
cient clearness, it is common in the use of the future 
tense of the subjunctive mood, to make an ellipsis of the 
auxiliary. Thus, instead of saying, " If he shall arrive 
there in time, he will go in the stage," we say " if he 
GPiive there in time, &c." 

INFINSTtVE MOOD. 

The infinitive mood expresses a thing in a general and 
unlimited manner, without any distinction of number or 
person. It is generally preceded by the preposition to 9 
and is used only in the present and perfect tenses. 

Present tense, To love. 
Perfect tense, To have loved. 
PARTICIPLES. 
The present or active participle is formed 
by adding big to the verh. 

The perfect or passive participle is general- 
ly formed by adding ed, d 9 t, or n, to the verb. 
The compound perfect participle is formed 
by prefixing the auxiliary having to the per- 
fect or passive participle. 



ETYM010GY* 4S 

Present or active, Loving, 
Perfect or passive, Loved, 
Compound perfect, Having loved. 

Conjugation of the irregular active verb, 
write. 

Ind. pres. Write. Imp. Wrote. 
Perf. part. Written. 

INDICATIVE MOOD.* 
v Present tense. 
Sing. Plur. 

1. 1 write, 1. We write, 

2. Thou writest, 2. You write, 

3. He writes. 3. They write. 

Imperfect tense. 
Sing. Plur. 

1. I wrote, 1. We wrote, 

2. Thou wrotest, 2. You wrote, 

3. He wrote. 3. They wrote. 

Perfect tense. 
- Sing. Plur. 

1. I have written, 1. We have written, 

2. Thou hast written, 2. You have written, 

3. He has written. 3. They have written* 

Pluperfect tense. 
Sing. Plur. 

1. I had written, 1. We had written, 

2. Thou hadst written, 2. You had written, 

3. He had written. 3. They had written. 

* The definitions of the moods and tenses may proper* 
ty be given by the pupil, through all the conjugations 



44 3BNGUSH GRAMMAR 

First future tense. 
Sing. Plur. 

1. 1 shall write, 1. We shall write, 

2. Thou shalt write, 2. You shall write, 

3. He shall write. 3. They shall write. 

Second future tense. 
Singular. 1. I shall have written, 

2. Thou shalt have written, 

3. He shall have written. 
Plural. 1. We shall have written, 

2. You shall have written, 

3. They shall have written. 

IMPERATIVE MOOD. 

Singular. 
2. Write, or write thou. 

Plural. 
2. Write, or write you. 

POTENTIAL MOOD. 

Present tense. 
Sing. Plur. 

1. 1 may write, 1. We may write, 

2. Thou mayst write, 2. You may write, 

3. He may write. 3. They may write. 

Imperfect tense. 
Sing. Plur. 

1. I might write, 1. We might write, 

2. Thou mightst write* 2. You might write, 

3. He might write. 3. They might write* 






ETTMOiOGT. *£ 

Perfect tense. 

Singular, i. I may have written, 

2. Thou may st have written, 

3. He may have written. 

Plural. 1. We may have written. 

2. You may have written, 

3. They may have written, 

Pluperfect tense. 

Singular. 

1. I might have written, 

2. Thou mightst have written, 

3. He might have written. 

Plural. 

1. We might have written, 

2. You might have written, 

3. They might have written. 

SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD. 
Present tense. 
Sing. Plur. 

1. If I write, 1. If we write, 

2. If thou writest, 2. If you write, 

3. If he writes. 3. If they write. 

Imperfect tense. 
Sing, Plur. 

i. If I wrote, 1. If we wrote, 

2. If thou wrotest or wrote, 2. If you wrote, 

3. If he wrote* 3. If they wrote. 



46 ENGMSH GRAMMAR* 

Future tense. 

Sing. Plur. 

1. If I (shall) write, 1. If we (shall) write, 

2. If thou (shalt) write, 2. If you (shall) write, 

3. If he (shall) write. 3. If they (shall) write. 

INFINITIVE MOOD. 

Present ten e, To write. k 

Perfect, To have written* 

PARTICIPLES. 

Present or active, Writing. 
Perfect or passive, Written. 
Compound perfect, Having written. 



Conjugation of the auxiliary or irregular 
neuter verb, be, 

Ind. pres. Am. Imp. Was. 
Perf pari Been. 

INDICATIVE MOOD. 

Present tense. * 

Sing. Plur. 

1. I am, 1. We are, 

2. Thou art, 2. You are, 

3. He is. 3. They are. 

Imperfect tense. 
Sing. Plur. 

1 I was, 1. We were, 

2. Thou wast, 2. You were, 

3. He was. 3. They were* 



ETYMOLOGY. 47 

Perfect tense. 
Sing, Plur. 

1. I have been, 1. We have been, 

2. Thou hast been, 2* You have been, 

3. He has been 3. They have been, 

Pluperfect tense. 
Sing. Plur. 

1. I had been, 1. We had been, 

2. Thou hadst been, 2. You had been, 

3. He had been. 3* They had been. 

First future tense. 
Sing. Plur. 

1. I shall be, 1. We shall be, 

2. Thou shalt be, 2. You shall be, 

3. He shall be. 3. They shall be. 

Second future tense. 

Singular. , 

1. I shall have been, 

2. Thou shalt have been, 

3. He shall have been. 

Plural. 

1. We shall have been, 

2. You shall have been, 

3. They shall have been. 

IMPERATIVE MOOD, 

Sing. Plur. 

i. Be, or be thou. 2. Be, or be yon. 



*S 



ENGLISH GRAMMAR, 



POTENTIAL MOOD. 

Present tense. 
Sing* Plur. 

1. I may be, i. We may be, 

2. Thou mayst be, 2. You may be, 

3. He may be. 3. They may be. 

Imperfect tense. 
Sing. Plur. 

I might be, 1. We might be, 

Thou mightst be, 2. You might be, 

He might be. 3. They might be* 

Perfect tense. 
Singular. 1. I may have been, 

2. Thou mayst have been, 

3. He may have been. 
1# We may have been. 

2. You may have been. 

3. They may have been. 
Pluperfect tense. 

Singular, i. I might have been, 

2. Thou mightst have been, 

3. He might have been, 

1. We might have been, 

2. You might have been, 

3. They might have been. 
SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD. 

Present tense* 



1. 

2. 
3. 



Plural. 



Plural. 



Sing. 


Plur. 


1. If I am, 


1. If we are, 


2. If thou art, 


2. If you are, 


3. If he is. 


3. If they are* 



ETYMOLOGY. &9 

Imperfect tense. 
Sing* Plur. 

1. If I was, 1. If we were, 

2. If thou wast, 2. If you were, 

3. It he was. 3 If they were. 
The imperfect form of the verb be, in the subjunctive 

mood, is frequently used to denote present or future 
time ; it then takes the following 1 form in the different 
numbers and persons, viz. 

Sing. Plur. 

1. If I were, 1. If we were, 

°Z. If thou wert, 2. If you were, 

3. If he were. 3. If they were. 

Future tense. 

Sing. Plur. 

1. If I (shall) be, 1. If we (shall) be, 

2. If thou (shalt) be, 2. If you (shall) be, 

3. If he (shall) \n\ 3. If they (shall) be. 

INFINITIVE MOOD. 
Present tense, To be. 

Perfect, To have been. 

PARTICIPLES. 

Present, Being. 

Perfect, Been. 

Compound perfect, Having been. 

OF PASSIVE VERBS. 

A passive verb signifies that its subject or 
nominative receives an action, and it is formed 
from the transitive active verb, by annexing 
the perfect or passive participle to the auxilia- 
ry be, through all its changes of mood, tense, 
number, and person j as from the transitive ac~ 
E 



SO ENGLISH GHAMMAIL 

live verb love is formed the passive verb ami 
loved) was loved, &c. 

Passive verbs may be distinguished by their always ad- 
mitting of the preposition by or -with after them, with a 
noun or pronoun, expressing the agent by which the 
subject or nominative is acted upon ■, as " The master is 
loved by me." 

Conjugation of the passive verb, be loved. 

INDICATIVE MOOD. 

Present tense. 
Sin,?. Pltir. 

1. T am loved, 1. We are loved? 

2. Thou art loved, 2. Yon are loved, 

3. He is loved. 3. They are loved, 

Imperfect tense. 
Sin,?. Plur. 

1. I was loved, 1. We were loved, 

2. Tnon wast loved, 2. You were loved, 

3. He was loved. 3. They were loved. 

Perfect tense. 
Singular. 1. I have been loved, 

2. Thou hast been loved, 
t 3. He has been loved. 

Plural. A, We have been loved, 

2. You have been loved, 

3. They have been loved. 

Plu|)erfeet tense. 
Singular. 1. I hml been loved, 

2. bean loved, 

3. Me had foeeiv^oved. 



ETYMOLOGY. £1 

Plural. 1. We had been loved, 

2. You had been loved, 

3. They had been loved. 

First future tense. 
Singular. 1. I shall be loved, 

2. Thou shall be loved, 

3. He shall be loved* 
Plural. 1. We shall be loved, 

2. You shall be loved, 

3. They shall be loved. 

Second future tense. 
Singular. 1. I shall have been loved, 

2. Thou shalt have been loved, 

3. He shall have been loved. 
Plural. 1. We shall have been loved, 

2. You shall have been loved, 

3. They shall have been loved. 
IMPERATIVE MOOD. 

Sing. Plur. 

2. Be thou loved. 2. Be you loved. 

POTENTIAL MOOD. 

Present tense. 
Singular. 

1. I may be loved, 

2. Thou mayst be loved, 

3. He may be loved. 

Plural. 

1. We may l>e loved, 

2. You may be loved, 

3. They may be loved* 



$2 



ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 



Imperfect tense. 
Singular. 1. I might be loved, 

2. Thou mightst be loved* 

3. He might be loved. 

Plural. 1. We might be loved, 

2. You might be loved, 

3. They might be loved. 

Perfect tense. 
Singular. 1. I may have been loved, 

2. Thou mayst have been loved, 

3. He may have been loved. 

Plural. 1. We may have been loved, 

2. You may have been loved, 

3. They may have been loved. 

Pluperfect tense. 
I might have been loved, 
Thou mightst have been loved, 
He might have been loved. 

1. We might have been loved, 

2. You might have been loved, 

3. They might have been loved. 



Singular. 1, 

2 
3 

Plural. 



SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD. 

Present tense. 
Sing. Plur. 

1. If I am loved, 1. If we are loved, 

2. If thou art loved, 2. If you are loved, 

3. If he is loved, 3. If they are loved 



ETYMOLOGY. 53 

Imperfect tense. 
Sing. Plur. 

1. If I was loved, 1. If we were loved, 

2. If thou wast loved, 2. If you were loved, 

3. If he was loved. 3, If they were lov d, 
When this form of the passive verb is used to denote 

present or future time, it is thus conjugated. 

Sing. Plur. 

i. If I were loved, 1. If we were loved, 

2. If thou wert loved, 2. If you were loved, 

3. If he were loved. 3. If they were loved. 

Future tense. 
Singular, i. If I (shall) be loved, 

2. If thou (shall) be loved. 

3. If he (shall) be loved. 
Plural. 1. If we (shall) be loved, 

2. If you (shall) be loved, 

3. If they (shall) be loved. 

INFINITIVE MOOD. 
Present tense, To be loved. 

Perfect tense, To have been loved. 

PARTICIPLES. 

Present, Being loved. 

Perfect, Been loved. 

Compound perfect, Having been loved. 

Neuter verbs are generally conjugated like the active ; 
hut they admit, in some instances, of the passive form, 
and are conjugated like the passive verb, still retaining 
the neuter signification ; as " 1 am arrived/' "He is 
gone." All verbs of the passive form, that will not admit 
the preposition by or -with, and an agent after them, are 
neuter verbs — the passive form not expressing a passion, or 
the receiving of an action, but only a stete 9V condition of 
being-. 

E;2 



S4 ENGLISH GRAMMAR, 

Active and neater verbs may be conjugated by adding 
the present or active participle to the auxiliary be through 
all its variations; as "I am writing;" "He is sitting.* 
This mode of conjugation has, on some occasions, a pecu- 
liar propriety, as it expresses the continuation of an action 
or state of being, and contributes to the harmony and pre- 
cision of the language. 

Example of the verb Learst. 
INDICATIVE MOOD. 
Present tense. 
Singular. Plural. 

1. I am learning, 1. We are learning, 

2. Thou art learning, 2. You are learning, 

3. He is learning. 3, They are learning. 

Imperfect tense. 
Singular. Plural. 

i. I was learning, 1. We were learning, 

2. Thou wast learning, 2. You were learning, 

3. He was learning. 3. They were learnings 

Perfect tense. 
Singular. 1. I have been learning, 

2. Thou hast been learning, 

3. He has been learning. 
Plural. 1 . We have been learning, 

2. You have been learning, 

3. They have been learning 

Pluperfect tense. 
Singular. 1. I had been learning, 

2. Thou hadst been learning, 

3. He had been learning. 
Plural. 1. We had been learning, 

2. You had been learning, 

3. They had been learning. 

First future tense. 
Singular. 1. 1 shall be learning, 

2. Thou shalt be learning,. 

3. He shall be learning. 
Flurah 1. We shall be learning, 

2* You shall be learning, 
3. They shall be learning. 



ETYMOLOGY. 55 

Second future tense. 
Singular. 1. 1 shall have been learning, ^ 

2. Thou shalt have been learning, 

3. He shall have been learning. 
Plural. 1. We shall have been learning, 

2. You shall have been learning, 

3. They shall have been learnings 

IMPERATIVE MOOD. 

Singular. Plural, 

2. Be thou learning. 2. Be you learning- 

POTENTIAL MOOD. 

Present tense. 
Singular. 1. I may be learning, 

2. Thou mayst be learning,, 

3. He may be learning. 
Plural, 1 . We may be learning, 

2. You may be learning, 

3. They may be learning. 

Imperfect tense. 
Singular. 1. I might be learning, 

2. Thou mightst be learning 

3. He might be learning. 
Plural. 1. We might be learning, 

2. You might be learning, 

3. They might be learning. 

Perfect tense. 
Singular. 1. 1 may have been learning, 

2. Thou mayst have been learning, 

3. He may have been learning. 
Plural. 1. We may have been learning, 

2. You may have been learning, 

3. They may have been learning. 

Pluperfect tense. 
Singular, 1. I might have been learning, 

2. Thou mightst have been learning, 

3. He might have been learning. 



BC) ENGLISH GRAMMAH. 

Plural. 1. We might have been learnings 

2. You might have been learnings 

3. They might have been learnings 

SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD. 

Present tense. 
Singular. Plural. 

1. If I am learning, 1. If we are learnings 

2. If thou art learning, 2. If you are learning, 

3. If he is learning. 3. If they are learning. 

Imperfect tense. 
Singular. Plural. 

1. If I was learning, 1. If we were learning* 

2. If thou wast learning, 2. If you were learning, 

3. If he was learning. 3. If they were learning. 

Or, when the imperfect form refers to present or future 
time it is thus conjugated. 

Singular. Plural. 

1. If I were learning, 1. If we were learning, 

2. If thou wert learning, 2. If you were learning, 

3 . If he were learning. 3. If they were learning. 

Future tense. 
Singular. Plural. 

1. If I (shall) be learning, 1. If we (shall) be learning, 

2. If thou (shalt) be learning, 2. If you (shall) be learning, 
3., If he (shall) be learning. 3. If they (shall) be learning, 

INFINITIVE MOOD. 

Present. ....To be learning. 
Perfect To have been learning. 

PARTICIPLES. 

Present Learning. Perfect Been learned. 

Compound perfect Having been learning. 

As the Indicative and Potential moods are frequently 
used in asking questions, wherein the auxiliaries are se- 
parated from one another, or from the principal verb, by 
the interposition of the subject or nominative, and some- 
times other words — in order to give the learner a distinct 
idea of the different forms of conjugation, the following 
example of a verb conjugated interrogatively is subjoined. 



ETYMOLOGY. 5f 

Of the active verb learn. 

INDICATIVE MOOD, 

1 Person, Singular number.* 

Fresent tense Do I learn ? &c. 

Imperfect Did I learn ? &fc. 

Perfect tense Have I learned ? &te. 

Pluperfect Had I learned ? &c. 

First future Will I learn ? &c. 

Second future. Will I have learned ? &?c. 

POTENTIAL MOOD. 

1 Person Singular number. 

Present tensef May I learn ? &c* 

Imperfect ...Could I learn ? &?c. 

Perfect Can I have learned? &c* 

Pluperfect Could I have learned? &c* 

Of the passive verb be loved. 
INDICATIVE MOOD. 

1 Person Singular number. 

Present tense Am I loved ? &c. 

Imperfect Was I loved ? &c. 

Perfect* H ave I been loved ? &c, 

Pluperfect Had I been loved ? &c. 

First future Will I be loved ? &c. 

Second future Will I have been loved } 

POTENTIAL MOOD. 

Present tense May I be loved ? £$c. 

Imperfect Might I be loved ? &c. 

Perfect May I have been loved ? &?c. 

Pluperfect Might I have been loved? &c. 

A verb may be conjugated negatively, by making use of 
the adverb not between the auxiliary and the principal 
verb, or between the first and second auxiliaries, where 
there are more than one, through all the moods and 
tenses except the infinitive : as " 1 do not fear ; I did not 

* The learner should repeat the verb through all the 
persons, in both numbers. 

This tense is ako used in exclamatory sentence*' 



58 KNGUSH GRAMMAR. 

fear ; I have not feared ; I shall not have feared ; Pear n*t, 
©r do not fear ;" &c. 

OF IRREGULAR VERBS. 
Irregular verbs are of various sorts. 
1. Such as have the present and imperfect tenses of the 
indicative mood and the perfect participle the same : as 
Present. Imperfect. Perfect participle, 

cost cost cost, 

put put put. 

% Such as have the imperfect tense and perfect partici- 
ple the same, but different from the present tense : as 
Present. Imperfect Perfect part, 

abide abode abode, 

bleed bled bled. 

3. Such as have the present tense, the imperfect tense, 
and perfect or passive participle different : as 
Present. Imperfect. Perfect part, 

arise arose arisen, 

blow blew blown. 

The following is a list of the irregular verbs, as tfiey 
are now generally used. Those marked with an R, admit 
also of the regular form of conjunction. 
Present Imperfect. Per. or pas. part. 

Abide abode abode, 

am was been, 

arise arose arisen, 

awake awoke, R. awaked. 

Bear, to bring forth, bare born, 

bear, to carry, bore borne, 

beat beat beat, or beaten 

begin began begun, 

bend bent, R. bent, R. 

behold beheld , behe J d '« 

bereave bereft, R. bereft, R- 

beseech besought besought, 

bid bade, bid bidden, bid. 





* 


ETYMOLOGY, 


m 


Present 




Imperfect. 


Perf. or pas. part, 


bind 




bound 


bound. 


bite 




bit 


bitten, bit. 


bleed 




bled 


bled. 


blow 




blew 


blown. 


break 




broke 


broken. 


breed 




bred 


bred. 


bring 




brought 


brought, 


build 




built, R. 


built, R. 


burst 




burst 


burst. 


buy 




bought 


bought. 


Cast 




east 


cast. 


catch 




caught, R. 


caught, R. 


chide 




chid 


cludden, chid, 


choose 




chose 


chosen. 


cleave, 


to adhere 
[to stick 


, clave, 11. 


cleaved. 


cleave, to split 


clove or cleft 


cloven, cleft* 


cling 




clung 


clung. 


clothe 




clothed 


clad, R. 


come 




came 


come. 


cost 




cost 


cost. 


crow 




crew, R. 


crowed. 


creep 




crept, R. 


crept, R. 


cut 




cut 


cut. 


Dare, to venture? 


durst 


dared. 


deal 




dealt, R. 


dealt, R. 


dig 




dog, R. 


dug, R. 


do 




did 


done. 


draw 




drew 


drawn. 


drive 




drove 


driven, drove. 


drink 




drank 


drunk. 


dwell 




dwelt 


dwelt, R. 


Eat 




eat 


eaten. 


Fall 




fell 


fallen. 


feed 




fed 


fed. 


feel 




felt 


felt. 


fight 




fought 


fought. 


find 




found 


found. 



* Dare, to challenge or defy, is always regular* 



60 



ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 



Present. 


Imp erf. 


Pernor pass, part 


flee 


fled 


fled. 


fling 1 


flung 


flung. 


fly 


flew 


flown. 


forsake 


forsook 


forsaken. 


freeze 


froze 


frozen, or froze. 


forget 


forgot 


forgotten, forgot. 


forbear 


forbore 


forborne. 


forbid 


forbade, forbid, 


forbidden, forbid. 


Get 


got 


got, gotten. 


gild 


gilt, R. 


gilt,R 


gird 


girt, R, 


girt, R. 


give 


gave 


given. 


g° 


went 


gone. 


grave 


graved 


graven. 


grind 


ground 


ground. 


grow 


grew 


grown. 


Have 


had 


had. 


hang 


hung 


hung, R. 


hear 


heard 


heard. 


hew 


hewed 


hewn, R. 


hide 


hid 


hidden, bid. 


hit 


hit 


hit. 


hold 


held 


held. 


hurt 


hurt 


hurt. 


Keep 


kept 


kept. 


knit 


knit, R, 


knit. 


know 


knew 


known. 


Lade 


laded 


laden. 


lay, to plaee 


laid 


laid. 


lead 


led 


led. 


leave 


left 


left. 


lend 


lent 


lent. 


let 


let 


let. 


lie, to lie down 


lay- 


lain. 


load 


loaded 


laden, R. 


lose 


lost 


lost. 


Make 


made 


made. 


meet 


met 


met. 




mowed 


mown. 



ETYMOLOGY 


• 


Imp erf. 


Perf. part. 


meant 


meant. 


paid 


paid. 


put 


put. 


partook 


partakenv 


quit, R t 


quit, Un- 


read 


read. 


rent 


rent. 


rid 


rid. 


rode 


rid* 


rang, rung 


rung. 


rose 


risen, 


rived 


riven. 


ran 


run. 


sawed 


sawu, R. 


said 


said. 


saw 


seen. 


sought 


sought. 


sod, R. 


sodden. 


sold 


sold. 


sent 


sent. 


set 


set. 


shook 


shaken. 


shaved 


shaven, R. 


sheared 


shorn. 


shed 


shed. 


shone, R, 


shone, R, 


showed 


shown. 


shod 


shod. 


shot 


shot. 


shred 


shred 


shrunk 


shrunk, 


shut 


shut. 


sung 


sung. 


sunk 


sunk. 


sat 


sat, sitten. 


slew 


slain. 


slept 


slept. 


she 


slidden. 


slung 1 


Blunge 



61 



F 



62 



ENGUSH GRAMMAR. 



Present. 

slink 

slit 

smite 

sow 

speak 

speed 

spend 

spill 

spin 

spit 

split 

spread 

spring 

stand 

steal 

stick 

sting" 

stink 

stride 

strike 

string 
strive 
strow, or strew 

swear 

sweat 

swell 

swim 

swing 

Take 

teach 

tear 

teQ 

think 

thrive 

throw 

thrust 

tread 



Imperfect. 

slunk 

slit, R. 

smote 

sowed 

spoke 

sped 

spent 

spilt, R. 

spun 

spat 

split 

spread 

sprang, sprung 

stood 

stole 

stuck 

stung 

stunk 

strode, or strid 

struck 

strung 
strove 

strowed, ©r> 
strewed > 
swore 
sweat 
swelled 
swam, swum 
swung 
took 
taught 
tore 
told 
thought 
throve, R. 
threw 
thrust 
trod 



Perf. part, 
slunk 
slit, slitted* 
smitten, 
sown, R. 
spoken, 
sped, 
spent, 
spilt, R. 
spun. 

spitten, spit, 
split, 
spread, 
sprung, 
stood, 
stolen, 
stuck, 
stung, 
stunk, 
stridden, 
struck, or > 
stricken. 5 
strung, 
striven. 

strown, strowed, > 
strewed, 5 
sworn, 
sweat, 
swollen, R, 
swum, 
swung, 
taken, 
taught, 
torn, 
told, 
thought, 
thrrven, 
thrown, 
thrust, 
trodden. 





ETYMOLOGY* 


• 


Present. 


Imp erf. 


Perf. part. 


Wax 


waxed 


waxen, R. 


wear 


wore 


worn. 


weave 


wove 


woven. 


weep 


wept 


wept. 


Wet 


wet 


wet, R. 


win 


won 


won. 


wind 


wound 


wound. 


work 


wrought, R. 


wrought, or / 
worked, y 






wring 


wrung, R. 


wrung, or \ 
wringed. j 






write 


wrote 


written. 



In the preceding list, many of the compound irregular 
verbs are omitted ; such as, bsfal, bespeak, mistake, over- 
throw, c. which follow the same form as the verbs fall, 
speak % take, throw, &c. from wh-ch they are formed. As 
some of the preceding verbs may be conjugated regularly 
»s well as irregularly, custom and judgment must deter- 
mine to which form the preference is to be given. Those 
which are irregular only in familiar writing and discourse, 
and which are improperly terminated by t instead of <?J, 
are not inserted. Of this class are learnt, spelt, latcht t ~c. 
the use of which termination should be carefully avoided 
in every sort of composition, and even m pronunciation. 
These however must be carefully distinguished from those 
necessary and allowable contractions, which are the only 
established forms of expression ; such as dwelt, lost, felt, 
kc. Words that are obsolete have also been omitted y 
such as holpen, holden, gat, swan^, he. 

EXAMPLES OF PARSING, 

In xvhich the division of verbs, moods, and 
tenses, should be distinguished, and the definitions 
repeated. 

He reads well. 
He, a personal pronoun, of the third person singular, no- 
minative case. 



64 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

I, thou, he, &c. are called personal pronouns, 

The third person is the person spoken of. 

The singular number implies but one. 
The nominative erase is simply the name of a thing, 

or the state of a noun or pronoun, when it is the 

subject of a verb. 
r^ads, an active verb, of the indicative mood, present tense. 
An active verb expresses the action of its subjeet 

or nominative. 
The mdleaWe mood simply indicates or declares a 

thing. 
The present tense represents an action or event a£ 

now passuig or existing at the time in which it is 

mentioned. 
well, an adverb, 

Sarah is a virtuous woman ; I esteem her 
very much. 

Thou improvest daily, and thy example en* 
courages others. 

We, completed our journey yesterday, and 
were glad. 

The boys came home to-day ; they have de- 
ceived me greatly. 

She has written the letter, and she wishes it 
sent by the stage. 

He had given up the baoks, before I went. 

After they had waited a long time they 
departed. 

His fears will detect him, but he shall not 
escape. 

The committee will have agreed on a report 
before he will get there. 

D> thou ho watchful. Improve thy time, 
and learn wisdom. 



ETTM0L0GY. 65 

Know ye yourselves. Live peaceably with 
all men. 

She can read very well. They may improve. 

If thou couldst overtake him, he might re- 
turn. 

It may have remained there a long time. 

You should have considered, that he has not 
had so good an opportunity as you. 

He would have gone with us, if we had in- 
vited him. 

To read well is a valuable attainment. 

To have conquered himself was his highest 
praise. 

By promoting the welfare of other men, they 
advanced their own. 

He appears discouraged, although he is ad- 
mired for his improvement. 

James was sent to market this morning, and 
he has not been seen by us since. 

Virtue will be rewarded, and vice will be 
punished. 

Be ye intreated to forsake vanity, that you 
may be preserved from temptation. 

I may have been deceived by him. 

To be trusted, we must be virtuous. 

Having been deserted, he became dis- 
couraged. 

OF ADVERBS. 

An adverb is a word used to modify the 

F 2 



00 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

meaning of a verb, participle, adjective, of 
another verb ; as He acts prudently. 

Some adverbs are compared ; as *« Soon, 
sooner, soonest ;" «• often, oftener, oftenest." 
Those ending in ly are compared by more and 
most; as « wisely, more wisely, most wisely. " 

Adverbs may be ranked under several classes, the chief 
of which are the following : 

1. Of number : as Once, twice, thrice, Sec. 

2. Of order : as First, secondly, thirdly, lastly, finally, 
&c. 

3. Of place: as Here, there, where, elsewhere, any- 
where, everywhere, somewhere, nowhere, herein, there* 
In, hither, thither, whither, upward, downward, forward, 
backward, whence, hence, thence, whithersoever, &c. 

4. Of time present : as now, to-day, Sec. 

5. Of time past ; as Already, before, lately, yesterday, 
long since. ~* x 

6. Of time to come : as To-morrow, hereafter, hence- 
forth, by and by, presently, immediately, &c. 

7. Of lime indefinite .- as Oft, often, often times, some- 
times, soon, seldom, daily, weekly, yearly, always, when, 
ever, never, again, &C. 

8. Of quality : as Much, little, sufficiently, enough, how 
much, how great, abundantly, &c. 

9. Of manner or quality : as Wisely, foolishly, justly, 
quickly. Adverbs of quality are very numerous ; and are 
generally formed by adding ly to adjectives or partici- 
ples, or by changing le into ly; as bad, badly ; cheerful, 
cheerfully ; admirable, admirably ; agreeable, agreeably, 
&c. 

10. Of doubt : as Perhaps, peradventure, possibly, per- 
chance. 

11. Of affirmation: as Verily, truly, certainly, yea, yes, 
indeed, really, &c. 

12. Of negapon ,• as J^ay> np 3 not, not at all* in no wise* 



ETYMOLOGY. 67 

13. Of Mctrogation .• as How, why, wherefore, whether, 
&c. 

14. Of comparison : as Better, best, more, most, worse, 
worst, less, least, very, almost, alike, &c 

Many adverbs are formed by a combination of several 
x>? the prepositions with the adverbs of place, where, here, 
there: as whereof, wherewith, &c. herein, hereby, &c. 
therewith, therefore, &c. 

An adjective becomes an adverb, when it does not ex» 
press the quality or property of a noun, but simply the 
manner of a verb » as open thy hand wide. 

Sometimes an adjective is included with the adverb ; 
as every -where, any where, &c. sometimes a preposition 
and adjective are taken as an adverb : thus, in vain, in 
earnest, &c. express the same thing as vainly, earnestly, 

&G. 

A preposition and noun sometimes become an adverb ; 
as at length, by no means, &c. 

A preposition and adverb are sometimes combined a* 
an adverb ; as at once, at best, at most, &c. 

Some adverbs are composed of the article a prefixed to 
nouns ; as a-side, a-tbirst, a-sleep. a-shore, a-ground, &c. 

A preposition becomes an adverb when it has no object, 
expressed or understood, or, when joined with a verb, and 
necessary to complete the sense of the verb : as to cast 
up, to give over. The business was attended to. 

The word therefore is an adverb, when, without join- 
ing sentences, it only gives the sense of, for that reason. 
When it conveys that meaning, and also connects, it is a 
conjunction : as " He is good, therefore he is happy." The 
same observation may be extended to the words conse- 
quently, accordingly, and the like. When these are sub- 
joined to and, or joined to if, since, Sec. they are adverbs, 
the connexion being made without their help : when they 
are not u»ed with any other connective, they may be called 
conjunctions. 

There are many words that are sometimes used as 
one part of speech, and sometimes another, the sense 
a«d construction oaly determining to which class they 



68 ENGLISH GKAMMAB. 

belong. Thus the word much is sometimes a noun, some- 
times an adjective, and sometimes an adverb ; as hi the 
phrases, " Where much is given, much is required much 
money has been expended ; it is mucJi better to go." in 
the first example it is a noun, in the second an adjective, 
and in the third an adverb. 



OF' CONJUNCTIONS. 

A conjunction is a word used to join words 
or sentences together, and to show the man- 
ner of their dependence on each other ; as and, 
but &c. 

The principal conjunctions are, although, aad, as, be- 
cause, but, except, for, lest, notwithstanding, nor, or, than, 
that, though, unless, whether, if yet. 

There are several other words that are sometimes rank- 
ed with conjunctions, and sometimes with adverbs or pre- 
positions. When they serve onl} ; to join sentences they 
are conjunctions : such as again, albeit, also, besides, else, 
however, hence, moreover, nevertheless, provided, save, seeing, 
since, then, tlunce, therefore, -whereas* 



OF PREPOSITIONS. 

A preposition is a word used to show the 
relation of different words to each other, and 
generally points to a following noun or pro- 
noun; as (i He went from Darby to Philadel- 
phia/ 5 

The following is a list of the principal prepositions. 
Above, about, after, against, asnidst, among, at, before, 
behind, below, beneath, beside* between, beyond, by, 



ETYMOLOGY. 6,9 

concerning, down, during", except, for, into, from, in, of, 
on, upon, over, round, since, through, throughout, to, 
touching, towards, under, underneath, within, up, with, 
without. 



OF INTERJECTIONS. 

An interjection is a word which expresses a 
sudden emotion of the mind ; Oh! alas! 

The interjections are comprised within a rery small 
compass. They are of different sorts according to the 
different passions which they serve to express. Those 
which intimate earnestness, pain, or grief, are O! oh! 
ah ! alas! Such as are expressive of contempt, pish ! tush ! 
Of wonder heigh ! really ! sure ! strange! Of calling, hem ! 
ho ! soho ! Of aversion or disgust, foh! fie! aivay ! Of re* 
questing silence, hush ! hist ! Of a call of attention, lo / 
behold ! hark .' Of salutation, ivelcome ■ hail ! all hail ! Be- 
sides these there are many others in too frequent mse, 
which it is unnecessary to enumerate. 

EXAMPLES OF PARSING, 

In which all the- parts of speech and their 
various divisions and modifications should be 
defined. 

True cheerfulness makes a man happy in 
himself, and promotes the happiness of all 
around him* 

Beauty is a short-lived flower, which is easily 
withered. A cultivated mind is a treasure,, 
which increases every moment; it is a rich 
Mil, which produces an hundred fold. 



70 ENGLISH GKAMMAK. 

Industry is needful in every condition of life s 
we cannot, without it, act in any state to the 
benefit or satisfaction of others, or to our own 
advantage and comfort 

Keep no company with a man who is given 
to detraction. 

Modesty always appears graceful in youth ; 
it doubles the lustre of every virtue which it 
seems to hide. 

He who every morning plans the transactions 
of the day, and follows out that plan, carries 
on a thread that will guide him through the 
labyrinth of the most busy life. 

We should always consider how much we 
have more than we want. 

The sun which. seems to perform his daily 
stages through the sky, is, in this respect, fix- 
ed and immoveable. 

Virtue is the universal preparation for every 
honourable station in life. 

A suspicious spirit is the source of many 
crimes and .calamities in the world. 

Common failings are the strongest lesson of 
mutual forbearance. 

Time, always precious, can never be more 
so than in our early years. The first ideas 
make the strongest and most lasting impres- 
sions. 

Bless the Lord, O my soul T and forget not 
all his benefits ! 



SYNTAX, 71 

SYNTAX. 

Syntax treats of the agreement, govern- 
ment, and proper arrangement of words and 
sentences. 

There are two kinds of sentences, simple and 
compound. 

A simple sentence has but one subject, and 
one finite verb expressed or implied j as « She 
reads well/' 

A compound sentence has more than one sub- 
ject and one finite verb expressed or under- 
stood, and consists of two or more simple 
sentences joined together; as " She reads well, 
but she does not write well." 

A phrase is two or more words rightly put 
together, making sometimes part of a sentence, 
and sometimes a whole sentence. 

Ellipsis is the omission of some word or 
words in a sentence, in order to avoid dis- 
agreeable repetitions, and to express our ideas 
with ease and elegance in few words. 

Agreement is that similarity which one word 
has to another in number, person, mood, tenSe, 
gender, or case. ; 

Government is that influence which one part 
of speech has over another in causing it to be 
in some particular mood, tense, or case. 

To point out the proper uses of the differ- 
ent parts of speech, and to avoid or correct 
errors in the language, the following Rules 



72 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

with the annexed Notes and Observations are 
necessary. 

Rule 1. 
When a noun or pronoun is the subject of a 
verb, it must be in the nominative casej as 
« The bird flies ;'» " we walk." 

The subject of a verb may be known by answering a 
question with who or -what before the verb ; as " The boy 
learns ;" « who learns ?" answer, the boy : thus boy is the 
subject ©f the verb harm. 

The subject or nominative is generally placed before 
the verb : as " He walks ; 5> but sometimes it is put after 
the verb, if it is of a simple tense, and between the 
auxiliary and verb, if of a compound tense : as 

1. When a question is asked, a command given, or a 
wish expressed : as " Believest thw this V " Go thou *'* 
w May she be happy in her choice. " 

2. When a supposition is made without a conjunction 
expressed before the verb ; as " Had I been there, he 
would not h«ve gone." 

3 When a neuter verb is used ; as « On a sudden ap- 
peared the queen.' 

4. When the adverb here, there, then, thence, hence, or 
thus precedes the verb ; as " Here ami;" " Then went 
Mordscai ; " Thus saith the kim r." 

Note, 1 There should be no nominative case in a 
sentence without a verb expressed or implied, except it 
is addressed in the second person, connected with a 
participle independent, or following a neuter verb. In 
1iie following sentence the nominative fte has no verb 
e pressed or understood to answer to it ; " He that will 
le&rn, let him learn." It should be, « Let him learn that 
will ieara." 

Note 2. An adjective, without a noun expressed, hav- 
ing the definite article before it, is used as a noun and is 
general!) in the third person plural : as " The sincere ase 
always esteemed / ' « Providence rewarcU the good' 9 



RULE 2. SYNTAX. 73 

Examples of False Syntax.* 

Thee must be more attentive to thy stu- 
dies. 

Him who is careless and inattentive, will 
not improve. 

They know how to write as well as him ; 
but he i3 a better grammarian than them. 

Them that oppress the poor to increase 
their riches, shall come to want. 

Her that is virtuous, deserves esteem. 

Whomsoever is consented enjoys happi- 
ness. 

Who made the noise ? Me. 

Him that thinks twice before he speaks once* 
will speak twice the better for it. 

He admonished all whom he thought had 
been disorderly, to be more watchful in fu- 
ture. 

Ruxe 2. 

A verb must agree with its subject or nomi- 
native in number and person ; as « He im- 
proves; 99 *< the birds sing. 99 

A phrase or sentence is sometimes the sub- 
ject of a verb, and is always in the third per- 
son singular : as « That it is our duty to pro- 
mote harmony among mankind, admits of no 
dispute. 5 ' 

* Tor the form of correcting false Syntax, see Appen- 
dix, 



74 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

Note 1. Every verb, except it is in the infinitive mood, 
should have a subject or nominative expressed or under- 
stood. The following sentence is therefore inaccurate : 
* He was a man whom I highly esteemed, and was gene- 
rally beloved by those who knew him,' It should be* 
*and -who was generally beloved.' 

Note 2. When a neuter verb is placed between two 
nouns of different numbers, it should agree with that 
which is more naturally the subject of it : as * The -wages 
of sin is death. 3 

Although the verb generally agrees with the preceding 
nominative, yet when the nominative following it is ex* 
pressive of some priority of existence, or antecedent in 
idea to that which precedes the verb, it is more properly 
the subject of it, and the sentence might readily be trans- 
posed. Thus in the following example ; * The cause of 
his failure was the heavy losses he had sustained:' it is 
evident that the losses were prior to the cause in idea, and 
therefore should be the subject of the verb ; thus, ' The 
cause of his failure were the heavy losses,' &c. Or, ' The 
heavy losses he had sustained were the cause of his 
failure.' 

False Syntax. 

The girls was here yesterday. 

Thou should be more diligent in attending 
to thy studies. 

Great pains has been taken to little purpose. 

Frequent commission of sin harden men in 
it 

There is many occasions in life, in which 
silence and simplicity are marks of true wis- 
dom. 

He dare not act contrary to his instructions. 

What avails the best sentiments if people 
do not live suitably to them ?• 



RULE 3. SYNTAX. 75 

Not one of them whom thou sees clothed in 
purple, are happy. 

Nothing hut vain and foolish pursuits de- 
light some persons. 

The number of stars that are. at any one 
time, visible to the naked eye, do not much 
exceed a thousand. 

A variety of pleasing objects charm the eye. 

To live soberly, righteously, and piously, 
are reqmr.ed of all men. 

The following treatise, together with those 
which accompany it, were written many years 
ago, for my own satisfaction. 

To do -unto all men as we would that they 
in similar circumstances should do unto us, 
constitute the great principle of virtue. 

Rule 3. 

When a verb has two or more subjects con- 
nected by the conjunction and. it must agree 
with them in the plural number; as "Peace 
and plenty are great blessings. 1 ' 

The reason of this rule is evident, it being only a par- 
ticular modification of the last ; for where two or more 
nominatives are connected by the conjunction and, they 
are equivalent to the plural number, and require the verb 
to agree with them. It is the same thing- whether the 
subjects are of the singular or plural number, provided 
they are connected by the conjunction and. Some au- 
thors have thought, that where the nominatives are of the 
singuL r number, and convey nearly the same idea, or are 
scarcely distinguishable in sense, and even sometimes 
when they are very different, it is allowable to put the 



76 XKGXISH GRAMMAR. 

verb in the singular number ; as <c Tranquillity and peace 
dwells there ;" "Harmony and love is preferable to dis- 
cord and hatred." But it is evidently contrary to the first 
principles of grammar to consider two distinct ideas as 
one, however nice may be their shades of difference ; and 
if there is no difference, one of them must be superfluous, 
and ought to be rejected. But in cases where the sub- 
jects convey different ideas, and the verb is intended to 
be applied to any one of them, or to each of them sepa- 
rately, they should be connected by the conjunction or> 
and come under Kule 4th. Thus in the following sen- 
tence, the copulative conjunction and should be changed 
to the disjunctive conjunction or ; " Sand, and salt, and a 
mass of iron, is easier to bear than a man without under- 
standing.' 5 

Note 1. When the nominatives are of different persons, 
the verb must agree with the second person in preference 
to the third, and with the first in preference to either : as 
** Thou and she laugh too much/ 5 In this example the 
verb laugh agrees with its nominative thou in the second 
person, and with its two nominatives thou and she in the 
plural number. 

Note 2. When the adjective each or every, relates to 
two or more nouns of the singular number, the verb must 
agree with each, of them in the singular number, though 
connected by the conjunction and ; as " Every leaf, and 
every twig, teem* with life." 

False Syntax. 

Sobriety and humility leads to honour. 

Patience and diligence overcomes difficul- 
ties. 

Humility and knowledge, with poor apparel, 
excels pride and ignorance under costly at- 
tire. 

Wisdom, virtue, and happiness, dwells with 
the humble and pure in heart. 



HULE 4. SYNTAX. 77 

The planetary system, boundless space, and 
the immense ocean, atfects the mind with sen- 
sations of astonishment. t 

What signifies the counsel and care of pre- 
ceptors, when youth think they have no need 
of assistance ? 

Time and tide waits for no man. 
The inquisitive and curious is generally 
talkative. 

To be of a pure and humble mind, to exer- 
cise benevolence towards others, and to culti- 
vate piety towards God, is the sure means of 
becoming peaceful and happy. 

Humility and love, whatever obscurities 
may involve religious tenets, constitutes the 
essence of true religion. 

And so was also James and John, the sons 
of Zebedee. 

Much does human pride and self-compla- 
cency require correction. 
Rule 4. 
When' two or more subjects of the singular 
number are connected by the conjunction or or 
nor, the verb must agree with each of them in 
the singular number j as " James or John in- 
tends to go with us." 

As each of the nominatives refers to the same verb, 
without any dependence on the others, it is evident that 
the verb must agree with each of them in the singular 
number. 

If the adjective no, each or every, precedes several no- 
minatives, the effect is the same as if thev were connect* 

a* 



73 EN©X,lSm '6BAMMAS, 

ed by the Conjunction or op nor, and the verb must agree 
with each of them in the singular number : as <c No pro- 
pensity, no desire, no faculty of the soul, was given in 
vain. 55 

Note. When subjects of the singular number and of 
different persons, are connected by the conjunction or or 
nor, the verb must agree in person with that to which it 
is nearest ; as " Thou or I am in fault." 

In the arrangement of a sentence, care should be taken 
to place that nominative next to the verb, which occa- 
sions less harshness in the pronunciation. Thus, " Thou 
or / am to blame," is preferable to " I or thou art to 
blame/ 5 

The same verb is to be understood as applied to all the 
nominatives in their respective persons ; and perhaps it 
would often be better to repeat the verb, especially when 
there are but two nominatives : thus, instead of saying " I 
or thou art to blame, 55 it would be better to say, " Either 
lam to blame, or thou art/ 3 or, "Either thou art to 
blame, or I am." 

False Syntax. 

Neither he nor his son were to be found* 

Ignorance or negligence have caused this 
mistake. 

Wealth, or virtue, or any valuable acquisi- 
tion, are not attainable by idle wishes. 

There are many faults in spelling, which 
neither analogy nor pronunciation justify. 

A*tart reply, a proneness to rebuke, or a 
captious disposition, are capable of embittering 
domestic life. 

On these causes depend all the happiness or 
misery that exists among men. 

When sickness, infirmity, or calamity affect 
us, the sincerity of friendship is proved* 



RILE .V. SYNTAX. 79 

Man's happiness or misery are, in a great 
measure, put into his own hands. 

Whatever he undertakes, either his pride or 
Lis folly disgust us. 

Have thy brother or sister been consulted 
on the occasion ? 

Rule 5. 
When subjects of different numbers are con- 
nected by the conjunction or or nor, the verb 
must agree with the plural, which should be 
placed next to it ; as 6i He or they were offend- 
ed by it." 

The singular nominative or nominatives severally refer 
to the same verb implied, in the singular number : and 
therefore in parsing", the verb must be understood as ap- 
plied to each. 

Note. When the nominatives are placed between the 
auxiliary and the principal verb, as in interrogative sen- 
tences, the plural nominative should be placed next to 
the auxiliary ; as " Are they or I expected there I" 

False Syntax. 

Neither they nor he was present. 

Either the boys or thou wast in fault. 

Neither riches nor poverty was injurious to 
him. 

He could not tell whether two persons, or 
one had assisted him in the transaction. 

The cares of this life, or the deceitfulness of 
riches, has choked the seeds of virtue in many 
a promising mind. 

They or he have much cause to be displeased 
with the treatment received. 



80 ENGLISH 6RAMMAU, RULE 6. 

Some parts of the ship and cargo were re- 
covered, but neither the sailors nor the captain 
was saved* 

Whether one person or more was concerned 
in the business, does not yet appear. 

Either the driver, the horses, or the carriage 
was out of order. 

Rule 6. 

When the subject is a noun of multitude 
which conveys unity of idea, the verb should 
agree with it in the singular number; as "The 
meeting was large ;" but if the noun conveys 
plurality of idea, the verb must be in the 
plural number ; as "the committee were di- 
vided in sentiment." 

In most cases when a noun of multitude is used as the 
subject of a verb, we determine whether it conveys unity 
or plurality of idea by considering' the nature of the verb 
itself. If the verb is such as to represent the whole num- 
ber of individuals included by the noun, as acting" in con- 
cert, or existing as one body in the same state, we say the 
noun conveys unity of idea. But when the verb indi- 
cates a diversity of sentiment amongst those individuals, 
or any difference in their actions or states of being", the 
noun is said to convey plurality of idea. Consequently a 
noun of multitude, which in one case would require a 
verb to be in the singular number, may in another re- 
quire a verb in the plural number ; as " The committee 
occupies the room." The committee were of different 
sentiments." 

False Syntax. 

The church have no power to inflict corporal 
punishments. 



KELli 7. SYNTAX* Si 

The people rejoices in that which should 
cause sorrow. 

The flock, and not the fleece, are, or ought 
to be, the object of the shepherd's care. 

In the days of youth, the multitude eagerly 
pursues pleasure. * 

The c(;iirt have just ended, after having sat 
through the trial of a very long cause. 

The family was all well when we left home 
yesterday. 

No society are chargeable with the disap- 
proved conduct of particular members. 

The committee was divided in sentiment, 
and they have referred the business to the ge- 
neral meeting. 

Why do this generation look for greater 
evidence, when so much is already given. 

The council was not unanimous, and they 
separated without coming to any conclusion. 

^Never were any other people so much in- 
fatuated as the Jewish nation. 

Rule 7. 

A pronoun must agree with its antecedent, 
or the noun which it represents, in number, 
gender, and person : as " This is the friend 
whom I love ; he is a worthy man." 

A pronoun is sometimes used as the representative of a 
phrase or sentence, and, in such cases, it is always put in 
the third person singular, neuter gender. 

Animals of every species have their distinctions of sex ; 
and if Ave attend strictly to the rule given above, every 



82 ENGLISH GRAMMARr 

pronoun which refers to them must be either in the mas^ 
culme or feminine gender; but the correct usage of the 
language is such, that when a pronoun refers to the name 
of an animal, the sex of winch is not specified, it is gene- 
rally put in the neuter gender ; as in the following exam- 
ples : " He fired at the deer and wounded « ,-" " The child 
has lost both Us parents ;" "The lamb had strayed from 
the fiock, and at last it perished for want of sustenance." 
It is., however, necessary to observe, that when a pronoun 
refers to the general term, person, Hon, horse, dog, eagle,* 
and some others, it is always used in the masculine gender. 

Note 1. The relative pronoun -who should only be ap- 
plied to persons or intelligent beings : and which to little 
children, animals, or inanimate things. That may be ap- 
plied either to persons or things ; but after an adjective 
of the superlative*, degree, the adjective same, or when 
persons make but part of the antecedent, it should be 
used in preference to xoho or which. Also in interrogative 
sentences, that should generally be preferred. 

Note 2. When the use of a pronoun would occasion 
any ambiguity m the sentence, the noun should be re- 
peated. "We see the beautiful variety of colour in the 
rain-bow, and are led to consider the cause of U» n Here 
the sentence is left ambiguous by the use of the pronoun 
it. It is uncertain whether the variety^ the colour, or the 
rain-bow itself is the object of consideration — the noun 
variety should have been repeated ; thus, " and are led to 
consider the cause of that variety." 

Note 3. When a relative pronoun is used in the same 
sentence with two or more nouns, and refers only to one 
of them, to prevent ambiguity, it should be placed as near 
to that which it is intended to represent, as the construc- 
tion of the sentence will admit. The following sentences 
are therefore inaccurate : "There are many people in 
China, whose support is derived almost entirely from 
rice. 5 ' "He is like a beast of prey, who is void of com- 
passion." They should be, "Tn the empire of China there 
are many people whose support," &c. and " He who is 
void of compassion, is like a beast of prey." 



SYNTAX. 83 

Note 4. When a relative pronoun is preceded by two 
antecedents of different persons, connected by a neuter 
verb, the relative and verb may generally agree in per- 
son with either; but when on*, of them has been preferred, 
that agreement should be preserved throughout the sen- 
tence. The latter antecedent is genera-ly preferred; but 
when a personal pronoun, referring to either of the ante- 
cedents is used in the latter part of the sentence, the rela- 
tive and verb must agree with that to which this personal 
pronoun refers. 

Note 5. rhe pronoun ivhat should not, in any case, be 
used instead of the conjunction that. 

Notf 6. Personal pronouns, being used immediately to 
supply the place of nouns, should not be expressed in the 
same simple sentence with the nouns which they repre- 
sent. The following sentences are therefore erroneous. 
"The king he is just ;" " Disappointment and afflictions, 
however disagreeable, they often improve us;" "James 
his book." 

False Syntax. 

I do not think any person should be cen- 
sured for being careful of their reputation. 

Rebecca took goodly raiment, which was 
with her in the house, and put them on Jacob. 

Each of them in their turn receive the bene- 
fits to which they are entitled. 

Neither of these men seems to have any idea 
that their opinions are ill-founded. 

Every person, whatever be .their station, 
should attend to the duties of morality and re- 
ligion. 

Let each of us cheerfully bear our part in 
the general burden. 

If an animal should be taken out of its in- 



8* ENGLISH GRAMMAR. RULE 8. 

stinct, we should find him wholly deprived of 
understanding. 

An orator's tongue should be agreeable to 
the ears of their auditors. 
Rule 8, 

When a pronoun refers to two or more an- 
tecedents connected by the conjunction and, it 
should agree with them in the plural number; 
as "John and James are esteemed for their 
virtue/' 

Note 1. When a pronoun refers to two or more ante- 
cedents of different persons connected by the conjunc- 
tion and, it should agree in person with the second in 
preference to the third, and with the first in preference 
to either ; as " Thou and he should govern your pas- 
sions." Here the pronoun your agrees with its antece- 
dent pronoun thou, in the second person, and with its two 
antecedents thou and he in the plural number. 

Note 2. When a noun is used to represent two or more 
preceding nouns or pronouns connected by the conjunc- 
tion and, it must agree with them in the plural number ; 
as u Joseph and Thomas are brothers." 

Note 3 . When several antecedent nouns connected by 
the conjunction and, am preceded by the adjective each 
or every, the noun or pronoun referring to them, must 
agree with each of them in the singular number ; as 
" Every member of the body, every bone, every joint, and 
every muscle has a peculiar office assigned it." 

I False Syntax. 

His politeness and good disposition were, on 
failure of its effect, entirely changed. 
Religion and knowledge exceed wealth 



1U7LE 9. SYNTAX, 8a 

and grandeur : and it will render its possessor 
more honourable. 

Avoid haughtiness of behaviour and affecta- 
tion of manners, for it will assuredly bring 
thee to disgrace. 

Observe thy father's commandment, and the 
law of thy mother ; bind it continually upon 
thy heart. 

Pride and vanity will ever render its posses- 
sor despicable in the eyes of the wise. 

Coffee and sugar are imported from the 
West Indies, and great quantities of it are 
used every year. 

Rule 9. 

When a pronoun has two or more antece- 
dents of the singular number, connected by the 
conjunction or or nor 9 it must agree with each 
of them in the singular number; as 6i James 
or his brother intends to favour us with his 
company.' 5 

False Syntax. 

Either knowledge or virtue is preferable to 
riches ; strive therefore early in youth to at- 
tain them. 

Despise no infirmity of mind or body, nor 
any condition of life ; for they may be thy 
'own lot. 

Either work or play is preferable to idle- 
ness, because they furnish us with healthful 
exercise, 

H 



86 ENGLISH GBAMMAR. RULE 18. 

A man may see a metaphor or an allegory 
in a picture as well as read them in a book. 

A or an is called the indefinite article, be- 
cause they relate to one of a kind, but not to 
one in particular. 

We are not such machines as a clock or 
a watch, which will move only as they are 
moved. 

Rule 10. 

When a pronoun refers to a noun of multi- 
tude which conveys unity of idea, it must be in 
the singular number ; but if the noun conveys 
plurality of idea, the pronoun must be in the 
plural number ; as *« 'The meeting was large, 
and it held three hours :" ♦•The council were 
divided in their sentiments." 

False Syntax. 

When the nation complains, the rulers should 
listen to their voice 

The crowd was. so great that we had much 
difficulty to pass through them. 

In the days of youth, the multitude eagerly 
pursue pleasure as its chief good. 

The committee were divided in sentiment, 
and it has referred the business to the general 
meeting. 

The company was very small at first, hut 
they increased daily. 

Why do the people rejoice in that which 
should give it sorrow ? 



RULE 11. SYNTAX. 87 

The school was adjourned j and they have 
not been collected since. 

Rule 11. 

Articles and adjectives relate to nouns ex- 
pressed or understood ; and the adjectives this, 
that, one, ?wo, must agree in number with the 
nouns to which they relate ; as •' A wise man f* 
" This book, those books." 

An adjective is usually placed before the noun t© 
which it relates; as " A pious man;" "How amiable a 
woman." But in the following 1 circumstances the adjec- 
tive is properly placed after the noun to which it relates ; 
as, 

1. When something depends on the adjective, or when 
it gives a better sound, especially in poetry, as "A 
man generous to his enemies ;" " Fruit pleasant to the 
eye ;" " The tree was three feet thick ,-" " The genuine 
cause of every deed divine" 

2. When the adjective is emphatical ; as "Alexander the 
great;" " George the third " " Wisdom unsearchable.™ 

3. When several adjectives belong to the same noun ; as 
" A woman discreet, modest, sensible, and virtuous" 

4. When the adjective is preceded by an adverb ; as " A 
boy diligently industHous" 

5. When the verb be in any of its variations comes be- 
tween the noun and the adjective, the adjective may 
frequently either precede or follow it as " The man is 
happy ;" or " Happu is the man who chooses wisdom." 
" The scene was delightful." 

(3. When the adjective expresses some circumstance of 
a noun that, is the object of a transitive verb ; as 
" Learning should make its possessor more virtuous 
and useful." 
The arucle commonly precedes the adjective and noun ; 

as " A learned man :" but after the words all, many, so, 



SS ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

ns 9 ho-w, too, and perhaps some others, it is placed be- 
tween the adjective and noun ; as " Fall many a gem of 
purest ray serene." In this example " many a gem," 
refers to many gems separately, and not collectively." " He 
is too careless an author ;" " How great a pity." 

The article the is sometimes used before adverbs of the 
comparative or superlative degree, in order to mark the 
degree more strongly, or to define it more precisely : as 
" The more I learn, the better I like it !" 

Note 1. The article a should be used before words be- 
ginning with a consonant, or u sounding like yu, and an 
before a vowel, or h not sounded ; as A man, an orange ; 
a unicorn, an hour. 

Note 2. When a single thing of a kind is to be deter- 
mined, the article a or an should be used ; but when a 
particular person or thing is referred to, the article the 
should be used; as "A happy man." " The farmer's 
boy." 

Note 3. A noun used in a general sense, or in its widest 
signification, should net be preceded by an article : as 
*' Man is mortal." " Patience is a virtue." 

Note 4. When the number or quantity of any thing is 
intended to be expressed in a positive manner, the article 
a or an should be used ; but when a negative meaning is 
intended, the article should be omitted : Thus, if I say, 
u She spoke with a little reserve," my meaning is posi- 
tive ; but if I say, " She spoke with little reserve," my 
meaning is negative. " Few were pleased," and " A few 
were pleased," convey very different ideas. 

Note 5. The noun mean signifies a mediocrity or middle 
state, and should not be used to express a cause, or the 
reason or instrument of an action ; this should be express- 
ed by the noun means, which, with some other nouns of 
a similar construction, does not change its termination 
on account of number, and the adjectives this, that, &c. 
should agree with it accordingly as it refers to what is 
singular or plural : as <s By means of adversity, we are 
improved :" "James was industrious, and by this means 
acquired wealth." 



SYNTAX. 89 

jSTote 6. The pronoun them should not be used as an 
adjective to any noun : as " Give me those books ;" not 
** tliem books." 

In some cases it is difficult to determine, whether the 
pronominal adjective these or those, or the pronoun they 
or them is preferable ; as " Those that sow in tears shall 
reap in joy, or they that sow," &c. " \£e do not wish to 
be acquainted with them who are given to detraction : or, 
with those who are given to detraction. In such sen- 
tences, the easy flow and perspicuity of the language 
should be chiefly regarded. 

Note 7. When the adjective this or these, is con- 
trasted with that or those ; this or these should refer to 
the latter, that or those to the former word, clause, or 
sentence ; as "The path of virtue, and the road of vice, 
are open before you : that leads to happiness ; tliis, to 
misery." 

Note 8. Adjectives which convey a comparative or 
superlative signification, and such as do not admit of in- 
crease or diminution, should not be compared, nor any 
double comparisons admitted ; as u Virtue should be our 
chief desire;' 5 not chiefest. 

Note 9. A singular noun should not be used with a 
plural adjective, except in some technical phrase where 
the noun coveys the idea of plurality ; as "Twenty sail 
of vessels ;" " Ten head of cattle/' 

Note 10. When a noun is attended by two or more ad- 
jectives, or other words, which modify its meaning, that 
which more nearly relates to it should be placed next to 
it ; as "A rich old man ;" not " An old rich man." 

We sometimes meet with an adjective applied to the 
wrong noun ; as in the phrases, " A new pair of shoes ;" 
" a good piece of land ;" "the two next classes." The 
shoes are new, not the pair.... the land is good and not the 
piece. . ..It should be, " a pair of new shoes ;" '* a piece ef 
.good land;" "the next two classes." 

H'a 



®Q ENGLISH GRAMMAR. JIX7XE 12. 

False Syntax. 

I have not seen my parents this six months. 

Please to give me that scissors. 

Those sort of favours did real injury under 
the appearance of kindness. 

We do not approve of these kind of practices, 
as they do not comport with a guarded educa- 
tion. 

Instead of improving yourselves, you have 
been playing this two hours. 

Those kind of indulgences softens and in- 
jures the mind. 

Rule 12. 

When two nouns, or a pronoun and noun, 
are used together, implying property or pos- 
session, the latter governs the former in the 
possessive case ; as f* Sarah's book ;" *i On 
eagles' wings." 

The possessive case is frequently omitted through an 
ellipsis ; as " My father and mother ;" that is,. " my father 
and my mother." The governing noun is likewise often 
omitted: as " This book is mine ;" that is, my book. 

Note 1. When several nouns immediately follow one 
another in the possessive case, the apostrophe and s 
should be annexed only to the last, and understood to the 
rest; as " My father, mother and uncle's advice." But 
when some word or words intervene, the possessive sign 
should be annexed to each ; as « they had the physician's, 
the surgeon's, and the apothecary's assistance." 

Note 2. Little explanatory sentences should not come 
between the possessive case and the noun which governs 
it. The following sentence is improperly constructed ; 
* She was much pleased with the countryman's, as she 



SYNTAX. 91 

called him, obliging disposition." It should be, " with 
the obliging disposition of the countryman, as she called 
him." l ' . 

Note 3. A phrase consisting of several words, is some- 
times used as a proper name, or to express an office, and 
when governed in the possessive case by a following noun 
expressed or understood, the possessive sign should be 
annexed to the last word only, although it may otherwise 
be in the objective case ; as " The Bishop of London 9 s 
book: " The captain of the guard's house." 

Note 4. A clause or part of a sentence, beginning with 
a present or active participle and used as one name, or 
to express one idea or circumstance, governs the noun 
or pronoun preceding it in the possessive case ; as " Much 
depends on this rule's being observed." " Advantages may 
arise from the pupil's composing frequently " 

Note 5, When the possessive case has an unpleasant 
or awkward sound, it should be changed to the objective 
case, and governed by the preposition of: as "It was 
signed on the Committees behalf"— should be " on behalf 
of the Committee ;" " His house's situation," "The situa- 
tion of his house." 

Note 6. When the additional s of the possessive case 
occasions too much of a hissing sound or difficulty of pro- 
nunciation with the following word, it may be omitted, 
and the apostrophe only retained ; as " For righteous- 
ness' sake ;" " For conscience' sake." 

Note 7. When the preposition of precedes several 
nouns or pronouns successively, occasioning a harshness 
in the pronunciation, one or more of them should be 
changed to the possessive case ; as "The severity of the 
distress of the son of the king, affected the people," 
should be " of the king's son." 

Note 8. To distinguish the sense and express the idea 
of property, the possessive case is sometimes used after 
the preposition of when the governing noun is under- 
stood and not expressed, and a plurality of the same 
kind supposed to belong to the possessor ; as "a book of 
my brother's ;" that is, " One of my brother's books." But 



$2 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. RULE 15. 

when this plurality is not implied or clearly understood, 
the possessive case should not be used j as " A prorile of 
his friend/' not of " his friend's." 

False Syntax. 

Thy ancestors virtue is not thine. 

A wise mans anger is of short continu- 
ance. 

Thy fathers offence will not condemn thee. 

Wisdoms precepts are the good boys greatest 
delight. 
k Hast thou read Cowpers Poems. 

The girls books were kept in better order 
than the boys. 

Rule 13. 

When a noun or personal pronoun is used 
to explain a preceding noun, it is in apposi 
tion with it, and must be in the same case ; as 
« Paul the apostle;" "James, he who was 
here," &c. 

fiy apposition is understood, something- added by way 
Of illustration, or in order more fully to define and ex- 
plain the meaning or sense of the subject. 

Note 1. When words of the possessive case that are 
in apposition, follow one another in quick succession, the 
possessive sign should be annexed to the last only, and 
understood to the rest; as "For David, my servant's 
Sftjte." But when the governing noun is not expressed, 
or the sentence extended, the possessive sign should be 
annexed to the first only ; as-" I left the parcel at Snath's* 
the bookseller and stationer." 



BUiE 14. syntax. ** 

False Syntax. 

I gave my book to James my cousin, he who 
was here yesterday. 

This horse belongs to Samuel, the carpen- 
ter, he who built the house. 

Augustus, the Roman emperor, him who 
succeeded J'ulius Cesar, is variously described. 

These books are my friend's, him who keeps 
the library. 

The estate was left to Simon and John, 
the two eldest sons, they that had been to 
Europe. 

Art thou acquainted with Clarissa, the mil- 
liner, she whom we met in our walk this 
morning ? 

Rule 14. 

When a noun or pronoun is addressed in 
the second person, or connected with a parti- 
ciple as its subject, it must be in the nomina- 
tive case. * 

False Sijntax. 

Him having ended his discourse, the assem- 
bly dispersed. 

Them being willing to improve, the study 
was rendered agreeable. 

Her behig absent, the business was attended 
to by others. 

They all had liberty to go, us only ex- 
cepted. 



9* ENGLISH GRAMMAR. RULE 15. 

The sun's having risen, it became very 
warm. 

They were all more or less censurable, her 
only excepted, who was very circumspect in 
her conduct. 

Thee having been un watchful* the work is 
rendered more difficult 

Rule 15, 

A verb of the imperfect tense must not be 
connected with an auxiliary ; and the perfect 
or passive participle must not be used instead 
of the imperfect tense. 

When several verbs follow one another, having 1 the 
same nominative, the auxiliary is frequently omitted after 
the first through an ellipsis, and understood to the rest i 
as " He has gone and left me ;" that is, " He has gone, 
and has left me " Sometimes the auxiliary is used alone, 
and the principal verb omitted through an ellipsis ; as 
" We succeeded, but they did not ; "' that is, " did not suc- 
ceed."* " They must and shall be rewarded;" that is, 
" They must be rewarded, and," &c. 

Note. The meaning of a passive or neuter verb, should 
not be expressed by an active verb, nor that of an active 
verb, by a neuter or passive form 

The following examples are improper in this respect; 
* £ He laid by the fire all night." Laid is an active verb, 
used to express a condition of being ; it should be lay. 
" What regal vestments can with them compare;" " be 
compared." " He was entered into the connexion," " had 
entered." " The house is to build, 3 ' " to be built." 

False Syntax. 
If some events had not fell out very unex- 
pectedly, I should have been present. 



KULE 16. SYNTAX. 95 

He soon begun to be weary of haying nothing 
to do. 

1 was in London a year, and seen the king 
last summer. 

He writes as the best authors would have 
wrote on the same subject. 

He would have went with us if we had asked 
him. 

They have chose the part of honour and 
virtue. 

The house was shook by the violence of the 
storm. 

He had wrote and read much on the subject. 

I seen my old friend last week. 

They who have bore a part in the labour, 
shall share the reward. 

By too eager a pursuit, he run a great risk 
of b»'ing disappointed. 

When the rules have been wantonly broke, 
there can be no plea for favour. 

He would not have went, if he had known it. 

You who have forsook your friends, are en- 
titled to no confidence. 

Rule 16. 

A transitive verb, or its active, or com- 
pound perfect participle, governs the noun or 
pronoun which is its object, in the objective 
case : as «« I praise him." " On seeing them* 
we rejoiced." 



96 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

Note 1. A transitive verb often has for its object a 
phrase consisting of several words ; as <c He said James 
and John were present at the transaction" 

Note 2. An intransitive verb, or its participle, should 
not have a noun or pronoun after it as the object there- 
of; as "He afterwards repented him of his folly " him 
should be omitted after the intransitive verb repented. 

The object of a transitive verb is frequently omitted 
through an ellipsis ; as " I love and fear him ;" that is, " I 
love him, and I fear him." " This is the man they love ;" 
*'->j)hom they love." 

False Syntax. 

He that is idle and mischievous, reprove 
sharply. 

You are displeased with me for admonish- 
ing ye. 

He invited my brother and I to see his 
garden. 

If he will not hear his best friend, who shall 
we send to admonish him ? 

They who have laboured to make us wise 
and good, are the persons who we ought par- 
ticularly to love and respect. 

Whatever others do, let thou and I perform 
our duty. 

Who did they send on that important em- 
bassy t 

Ye, who were dead, hath he quickened. 

He and they we know, but who are you ? 

We should love, fear, and obey the Author 
of our being, even He who has power to re- 
ward or punish us for ever. 



KUI.E 17. SYNTAX. $7 

Rui»E 17. 

Neuter verbs and their participles, followed 
by a noun or pronoun, must have the same case 
after as before them; as « He is the man; or 
I took it to be him." 

As neuter verbs express only being, or a state or con- 
dition of being, they cannot with propriety, be sai<' to go- 
vern ; and it is manifest that a noun or pronoun following 
them can only express the subject in a different form, or 
under a different name or term, and must therefore be 
in the same case as the one preceding, whether nomina- 
tive or objective. 

Note. Passive verbs and participles, followed by a 
noun or pronoun, must have the same case after as before 
them ; as " The child was named Thomas." 

But instances of this kind rarely occur, the following 
noun or pronoun being generally governed by a preposi- 
tion understood : as u fie was appointed overseer ;"-— to 
the station or office of overseer. 

Relative pronouns, instead of following the verb, pre- 
cede both it and the noun or pronoun by which their case 
is regulated ; as " He is not the person -who he appeared 
to be /' or better, • * He is not the person that he appeared 
to be.*' 

False Syntax. 

Thou art him who sold the books. 

I believed it to be they who raised the re- 
port. 

Be composed j it is me, you have no cause 
for fear. 

I cannot tell who has thus befriended me, 
unless it is him from whom I have received so 
many favour*. 

I 



98 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. RULE 18. 

It was not me who made the noise. 

I would act the same part, if 1 were him, or 
in his situation. i 

He so much resembled his brother, that at 
first sight I took it to be he. 

It could not have been her, for she always 
acts discreetly. 

He is not the person whom he appeared to 
be. 

After all their professions, is it possible it 
was th em 

It might have been him, but there is no proof 
of it. 

If it was not him, who do you imagine it to 
have been? 

Rule 18. 

The infinitive mood is governed by the pre- 
position to; except that the active verbs bid, 
dare, feel, let, make, need, hear, and see, with 
their participles, govern verbs following th^m 
in the infinitive mood, in which case the pre- 
position to, should be omitted ; as «< Cease to do 
evil;" ".Bid him beware." 

When several verbs of the infinitive mood are connect- 
ed by a conjunction, the preposition to is placed before 
the first only, and understood to the rest ; as "It is our 
duty to fear God, and keep bis commandments, " " and to 
keep, 3 &c. 

Note. The infinitive mood following the verb see (sig- 
nifying to t&ke care of) and the verb dare to challenge, 
should be preceded by the preposition t9 wiuctl governs 
it ; as " I will sea to have ft dons." 



KULE 19. SYNTAX. 99 

False Syntax. 

I need not to solicit him to do a kind ac- 
tion. 

And the multitude wondered when they saw 
the lame to walk and the blind to see, 

I think I should not dare to do it. 

They need not to go at this time. 

I bade him to shut the door. 

Ir is the difference of their conduct which 
makes us to approve the one and reject the 
other. 

We may see some persons to behave very 
prudently on such occasions. 

Rule 19. 

In the use of the first future tense of the sub- 
junctive mood, an ellipsis of the auxiliary is 
frequently made ; but rhis elliptical form must 
never be used when there is not a direct refer- 
ence to future time. 

False Syntax. 

Though the fact be extraordinary, it certain- 
ly did happen. 

No one engages in that business, unless he 
aim at reputation. 

if he but intimate his desire, it is sufficient 
to produce obedie nee. 

If he speak only to display his abilities, he 
is unworthy of attention. 

If he ye in health, i am content. 



±00 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. RULE 20. 

Though the design be laudible, it will in- 
volve him in much anxiety. 

If thou censure uncharitably, thou deservest 
no favour. 

Whether he think as he speaks, time will 
show. 

If thou give liberally, thou art entitled to a 
liberal reward. 

Unless the statement deceive me, my estate 
is considerably improved. 

Though he be high, he hath respect to the 
lowly. 

Rule 20. 

When the verb to be 9 in the imperfect tense 
of the subjunctive mood, refers to present or 
future time, it must have the same form in the 
singular number that it has in the plural, ex- 
cept that the second person singular is changed 
to wert; as " Were I as wealthy as a south- 
sea dream." — But when it refers to past time, 
this form of the singular number should not be 
used. 

Note. When any active or neuter verb, except the verb 
to be, is used in the imperfect tense of the subjunctive 
mood, to refer to present or future time, it must have the 
same form in the second person singular, that it has in the 
first or third person ; as "If thou loved him, thou wouldst 
treat him differently. " 

False Syntax. 

Was I to enumerate all her virtues, it would 
look likeflatterv. 



KtJLE 21. SYNTAX. 101 

Although he were thy friend, he did not 
justify thy conduct* 

As the governess were present, the children 
behaved properly. 

Was he ever so great and opulent, this con- 
duct would debase him. 

It would be well if the report was only the 
misrepresentation of his enemies. 

If he were there he can give us an account 
of the transaction. 

Though I was perfect, yet w 7 ould I not pre- 
sume. 

Yet that was vain, if dreams infest the 
grave. 

If he were guilty, there is no evidence of the 
fact. 

Was man to live coeval with the sun, the 
patriarch pupil would be learning still. 

I would that thou wast either cold or hot. 

Oh! that thou wast as my brother. 

Remember that thou wert a servant in the 
land of Egypt. 

Rule 21. 

Verbs connected by a conjunction, and the 
nominative not repeated, should agree in mood 
and tense, and the same form of tense; as " He 
came and dined with us;" but if there is a ne- 
cessary change of tjie mood or tense, or if the 
verb passes from an affirmative to a negative 
I 2 



1G2 BNGX.ISH GRAMMAR. 

form, or the contrary, the nominative should 
be repeated; as "They might have been hap- 
py, and they are now convinced of it;" "She 
is rich, but she is not contented.'* 

Note. Participles connected by a conjunction should 
be in the same form, and when connected with a verb, 
should be changed to verbs of like mood and tense with 
that to which they are connected ; as " By approving- and 
practising virtue, we gain esteem." "To be kind to 
others, and doing as we would be done by ;" should be 
" and do as we would be done by." 

False Syntax. 

If thou sincerely desire and earnestly pur- 
suest virtue, she will be found of thee. 

Did he not strive to improve his mind, 
and diligently laboured to increase his know- 
ledge ? 

He would neither do it himself, nor suffered 
another to do it. 

He does not want courage, but is defective 
in sensibility. 

Learning strengthens the mind, and, if pro- 
perly applied, will improve our morals too. 

He might have been happy, and is now fully 
convinced of it. 

He is very wealthy, but is not happy. 

She was once proud, but is now humble. 

« Doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and 
goeth into the wilderness to seek that which is 
lost?" 

Our season of improvement is short, and 



RUiLE 22. SYNTAX. 103 

whether improved or not, will soon pass 
away. 

Rank may confer influence, but will not ne- 
cessarily produce virtue. 

Rule 22. 

In the use of verbs and words that in point 
of time relate to each other, the order of time 
should be observed. 

In order to apply this rule with facility, it will be ne- 
cessary to attend strictly to the definition of the tenses 
and the conjugation of verbs as they are given in the 
etymology. If these be well fixed upon the memory, the 
application of the rule, especially to verbs of the indica- 
tive and subjunctive moods, will present but little diffi- 
culty. 

If we wish to denote an action or event cotemporary 
with the time of speaking or writing, or if we wish to 
assert a fact, which, if true at any former period, would 
also be true at the present, or any subsequent time, we 
should employ a verb in the present tense. If we speak 
of an action which was performed during any day, week, 
month, year, or other period of time antecedent to that in 
which we are speaking, a verb of the imperfect tense is 
necessary. 

But if in speaking of an event that is past, we wish to 
refer to a period of time that includes the present ; as 
to-day, this weej^&e. we must use the verb in the perfect 
tense. 

When w% speak of an action or event which transpired 
before some other event or point of time that has passed, 
and to which we refer, we must use a verb of the pluper- 
fect tense. 

When we wish to speak of an event that is yet to come, 
without limiting the time for its accomplishment, our verb 
should be in the first future tense ; but if we wish to inti- 



104 ENGLISH G^AM^fR. 



mate that it w'dl be fully accomplished at or before some 
particular point of future time that we specify, the verb 
must be in the second future tense. 

The preceding* observations, which are founded on the 
definitions of the tenses, are applicable to most verbs in 
the indicative ar*d subjunctive moods. It is true there are 
some cases in which custom has sanctioned the use of the 
present tense in the indicative mood, in referring" to fu- 
ture time, as in the following" sentence. "I wlj go as 
soon as the stage arrives." But examples of this kind are 
not very numerous, and they must be considered as ano- 
malies or exceptions to the general rule, and not as mili- 
tating against it. 

Upon the use of the different tenses of the potential 
mood, it is not possible to be very explicit in our observa- 
tions. They are all used, in many instances, to refer to the 
times specified in the definitions ; but the time to which 
they refer is frequently determined by an attending verb, 
or other word. For example, when we say, " Fie may 
go," it is understood that he now has permission, and 
therefore the verb denotes present time. But if we say, 
' ' He may possibly go to-morrow/' we make a distinct 
reference to future time. Similar observations might be 
made on verbs in the imperfect and perfect tenses of the 
potential mood. It :s therefore evident, that in the use 
of verbs in tins mood, we must be regulated by circum- 
stances which it would not be practicable to notice in 
these 'general observations. 

Note 1. A verb of the infinitive mood, present tense, 
should always be used to denote something cotemporary 
with the time of the preceding" verb, ogfriib sequent to it; 
a ** T intended to go." But to denote something antece- 
dent to the time of the preceding" verb, the" perfect tense 
of the 'innnit>ve mood should be used : as " It would have 
given me great pleasure to have seen him." 

"1 intended to have written last week," is a very com- 
mon phrase, the infinitive mood being" in the past time 
as well us the verb which it follows : but it is cerr unly 
wrong ; for how long soever it now is since I thought of 



SYNTAX. 105 

writing*, to write was then present to me, and must still be 
considered as present, when I bring back that time, and 
the thoughts of it. It should therefore be, " I intended to 
•write last week." 

Note 2. All verbs expressive of hope, desire, intention* 
expectation, or command, should be followed by the pre- 
sent tense of the infinitive mood, and not the perfect; as 
e< I desired to go ; He expected to see me." 

Note 3. The tense of the verb ought, is determined by 
the verb of the infinitive mood which follows it. If, there- 
fore, the verb ought* is intended to refer to past time, it 
must be followed by the perfect tense of the subjunctive 
mood ; bu£ if it is intended to refer to present or future 
time, it must be followed by the present tense of the same 
mood. 

False Syntax. 

I have written to my friend last week, but 
have yet received no answer. 

If he arrives in time, he will go to the city in 
the stage. 

He is a person whom I remember these many 
years. 

After we visited the city, w T e returned, con- 
tent and thankful, to our retired and peaceful 
habitation. 

At the time of his return, if he is expert in 
his business, he will find employment. 

Unless he learns faster, he will be no scho- 
lar. 

No one will engage in that business, unless 
he aims at reputation. 

However that affair terminates, his conduct 
will be unimpeachable. 



106 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. RULE 25. 

Until repentance composes his mind, he will 
be a stranger to peace." 

His sea-sirkness was so great, that I often 
feared he would hive died before our arrival. 

I have compassion on the multitude, because 
they continue with me now three days. 

After his journey, he was much changed 
from what he was befure* 

The next new year's day I shall be at school 
three years. 

1 purpose to go to the city next w§ek ; and 
after i have finished my business there, to pro- 
ceed to the southern states. 

John wiil earn his wages when his service 
is completed. 

It required so much care that I feared I 
should have lost it before I reached home. 

Rule 23. 

When an adjective or adverb is used in a 
comparison between two persons or tilings 
only, it should be in the comparative degree; 
but wiien three or more are iffipikft, the sup. r- 
la f ive should be used ; as •*' J'>hn is tiller than 
James " "This is the best pen of the three." 

Note 1. The adjectives all, -dtliers, &x. should not be 
used when a comparison is intended between two persons 
or thing's only : as "He was wiser than all men," should 
be "than any man,' 5 or "than any other man." 

Note 2. The words each other, and the preposition be* 
tween, should be used iu relation to two persons or things 



BTJXE 24. SYNTAX. 107 

only; as "The two girls resemble each other. There is 
much similarity between them**' But when three or more 
are implied, the words ont another, a»:d the p^ position 
among should be used ; as " The builders of Babel under- 
stood not one anoth r '>■ language ; which prods ced much 
Confusion among them." 

Note 3. W hen an adjective or adverb of the compara- 
tive degree is used in a complete sentence, it must be 
followed by the conjunction than; as "Janvt \ iuisef 
than his brother ; ?5 "They came sooner than %e expect* 
ed." 

False Syntax. 

He is the strongest of the two. 

This is the better apple of the three. 

Janus and Samuel are brothers ; and tb'riugii 
James is the eldest, Samuel is the tallest of ihe 
two. 

Winch of those three kites is the higher? 

His parents fVeqjjeiitly visited him ; but his 
mother, much the oftenest. 

Which is the best reader, Thonjas or his 
sister? 

The fable savs, "The oak and willow once 
had a dispute, which was the strongest.** 

Samuel and Thomas are studying grammar; 
but as ihe latter is the most diligent of the two, 
he will probably attain the knowledge of it the 
soonest. 

A talent of this kind would, perhaps, prove 
the likeliest of any other to succeed, 

Rulb 24. 
When a present or active, or a compound 



108 ENGLISH GRAMMAR, 

perfect participle is preceded by an article, it 
must be followed by the preposition of both 
of which should be used, or both omitted: as 
« By the exercising of the body," or « By ex- 
ercising the body, health is promoted." 

Note. A present or active, or a compound perfect par- 
ticiple, preceded by a noun or pronoun of the possessive 
case, requires the preposition of after it; as "Much de- 
pends on their observing 1 of this rule." 

An active or present participle, preceded by an article, 
or noun or pronoun of the possessive case, becomes a 
participial noun, and as such cannot govern a noun or pro- 
noun following it, in the objective case; this should be 
governed by the preposition of which should generally 
follow the participial noun ; otherwise the article or pos- 
sessive should be ommitted, and the word parsed as a pre- 
sent or active participle. 

False Syntax. 

By the exercising 1 our judgment, it is im- 
proved. 

It is an overvaluing ourselves, to reduce 
every thing to the narrow measure of our own 
capacities. 

By observing of truth, thou wilt command 
esteem, as well as secure peace. 

A person cannot be wise or good, without 
the taking pains for it. 

The loving our enemies is a divine com- 
mand. . 

Learning of languages is very difficult. 

By reading of books written by the best au- 
thors, his mind became highly improved! 



KtfLE %b> SYNTAX. 109 

The not attending to this rule, is the cause, 
of a very common error. 

Ruie 25. 

An adjective should not be used instead 
of an adverb to express the manner of a verb, 
or the degree of an adverb, or of another ad- 
jective. 

Note 1* When connected with an adjective or adverb 
not ending 1 in ly 9 the adverb exceeding should have ly ad- 
ded to it ; as " Exceedingly proud :" But when the adjec- 
tive or adverb with which it is connected has that ter- 
mination, the ly should be omitted ; as " She behaved 
exceeding indiscreetly." 

Note 2. An adverb should not be used instead of an 
adjective, to express the quality or property of a noun ; 
as " For thine often infirmities," should be, ** thy frequent 
infirmities." 

False Syntax. 

He acted agreeable to his promise. 

He speaks very fluent, but does not reason 
very coherently. 

The task was the easier performed, from the 
cheerfulness with which they engaged in it. 

He conducted himself very unsuitable to his 
profession. 

She writes very neat, and spells accurately. 

He was so deeply impressed with the sub- 
ject, that few could speak nobler upon it. 

Alas! they are miserable poor. 

He was extremely prodigal, and his proper- 
ty is now nearly exhausted, 



110 english 0bammar* rule 26. 

Rule 26. 
Two or more negative words should not be 
used in the same simple sentence, to express a 
»egative meaning; m *» i can do no Hiorej" 
not " I cannot do no more." 

Two negative words used in the same part of a sen- 
tence, are equal to an aifiriiiafive : as * I do not know no 
more •" is the same as <% I do know some more." But it 
WOvild be bi iter to express an affirmation by an affirma- 
tive than oy two separate negatives, 

Note 1. When two or more negative words are used in 
the same sentence to express a positive meaning-, one of 
them should generally be joined to another word, and 
the)) they sometimes form a pleasing" and delicate variety 
of expression ; as "It not ^frequently happens :" that is, 
" lijreqiiently happens.'* 

Note ... A negative word should not be used to express 
a p s ; t;ve. meaning', nor a positive, word where a negative 
meaning is intended : as " Tho' he were ever so elo- 
quent; ■ not, "never so eloquent.'* 

False Syntax. 

I think I cannot help him no more. 

Nothing never affected him so mu?h as this 
misei >ndiict of his friend. 

Do not interrupt me thyself, nor let no one 
distwrU oiv retirementi 

Death never spareth none. 

I cannot give no more for it. 

Be honest, nor take no shape nor semblance 
of disguise. 

Rule 27. 

An adverb should not be placed betwen a 
verb of the infinitive mood and the preposition 
ie which governs it. 



RULE 28. SYNTAX. HI 

Note I. Vlverbs should be placed next to the words 
thev are intended to limit or qualify, when the construc- 
tion of the sentence will admit: generally before adjec 
tires, after verbs active or neuter, and frequently be- 
tween the auxiliary and the verbs, or between the first and 

second auxiliaries: « A very prudent woman fene be- 

haves discreetly, and is much admired- _ 

Note 2 The adverb not should follow tne conjunctions 
-whether, or, when a contrast is intended: as "He would 
proceed whether he obtained permission or no*-"— not 
' " whether he obtained permission or no. • 

Note 3. When motion towards a place, or trom it, is 
implied, the adverbs whither, hither, and thither, are more 
proper than -where, here, and there; as « Whither shall we 

g °NoTE 4. The adverb how should not be used before the 
conjunction that, or instead of it; as « He was informed 
thai he must go;' not" how that he must go. 

Note 5. The adverbs where, here, and there, should not 
be used for whereby, herein, and therein , or where a pre- 
position and relative pronoun would be more elegant and 
expressive ; as " An account was drawn, m which (not 
•whrre) their sufferings were represented. 5 ' "The city 
wherein, or in -which they dwelt," not where. 

False Syntax. 

We ought to thankfully receive the many 
blessings with which we are favoured. 

Please to not interrupt me. 

We should strive to daily improve our pre- 
cious time. ' 

She is said to excellently have performed 

her part. . 

To always keep in view the uncertainty oi 
time, is the way to rightly estimate it. 
Rule 28. 

A preposition governs the noun or pronoun 



112 ENGXISH GRAMMAR. 

which is its object in the objective case ; as 
*<I gave the book to him v 

A preposition frequently governs a phrase that com- 
mences with an active participle ; as " He improved his 
taste by reading the works of good authors " 

Note 1 . The preposition for should not be used before 
the preposition to, which governs the infinitive mood ; as 
*' She was sent to bring the book/' not " for to bri4ig." 

Note 2. More than one preposition referring to the 
same noun or pronoun should be avoided, except in forms 
of law, or where great exactness is requisite. The fol- 
lowing sentence is faulty in this respect : "Though virtue 
borrows no assistance from yet it may often be accom- 
panied by the advantages of fortune." It should be <( from 
the advantages of fortune, and by them." 

Note 3. Different relations and different senses should 
be expressed by different prepositions, though connected 
with the same verb, adjective, or noun ; as " To converse 
•mth a person upon a subject," &c. 

We are disappointed o/*a thing, when we expected it, 
and cannot obtain it, and disappointed in a thing, when 
we have obtained it, and find it does not answer our ex- 
pectation. In some cases it is difficult to determine to 
which of two prepositions the preference is to be given ; 
as "Expert at, and expert in a thing," ckc. The easy flow 
and perspicuity of the language in such cases should be 
chiefly regarded. 

Note 4. The preposition among should not be used be- 
fore the adject eseach, every, either, or other words con- 
veying unity of idea. 

Note 5. A preposition should precede the word which 
It governs, when the construction of the sentence will 
admit it, and should never be placed at the end of a sen- 
tence, when it can be avoided : as " To whom did he give 
it ?" not " Whom did he give it to ?" 

False Syntax. 
Who did he give the book to ? 



RULE 29. SYNTAX. US 

He placed the suspicion on somebody in the 
company, 1 know not who. 

Who didst thou receive that intelligence 

from? ,"'... , . , 

Does the bov know who he spoke to I 
Associate not thyself with those who none 

can speak well of. , 

I hope it is not I who thou art displeased 

"what concord can subsist between those who 
commit crimes, and they that abhor them 1 

From the character of those persons who 
you associate with, your own will be estima- 
ted. 

Rule 29. 

In the use of prepositions, and words that 
depend on each other, particular care should 
be taken to express relations by appropriate 
words, and to maintain a regular and clear 
construction throughout the sentence. 

This rule Is intended to apply to such errors in the 
Waaee, as cannot be brought under those more definite. 
Em>vs g are frequently made. in the use of JW^ 
for the correction of which, it wouldbe difficult to form 
explicit rules. And yet the student Who has his attention 
drawn to the subject by a few examples properly varied, 
will soon acquire the power of pointing out such errors, 
and correcting: them with facility. 

There £c some words that frequently require certain 
other words to correspond with them in the subsequent 
part of the sentence. Though often requires yet as a cor- 
responding word, especially when the tente nee : .s long. 
Wither is generally followed by nov; and MstheM** 
K 2 



±i& 'ENGLISH GKAMMAK. 

either by or . So sometimes requires as, and sometimes 
that, to correspond with it. It would, however, be diffi- 
cult to give particular directions for the use of such words, 
without making our observations very diffuse. The student 
must, therefore, be regulated in this respect, as in others 
intended to be included under this general rule; that 
is, b}^ accurate observations on the practice of correct 
writers. 

The following examples of faulty construction, with 
the errors pointed out, are subjoined for further illustra- 
tion. 

"He was resolved of going to the chy to reside." To 
be resolved of doing an action is improper ; the relation 
between the resolution and the action not being clearly 
expressed by the preposition of, which denotes posses- 
sion or consequence. It should be "on." 

The relation or connexion expressed by the prepositions 
in the following sentences is not clear and applicable. "In 
compliance to his injunctions;" "-with his injunctions." 
6 ' He became reconciled with his lot ;" "to his lot." " Such 
business as comes into their notice;" "under their notice." 

"A beautiful field and trees 9 ' is not proper language ; 
the article a, and the adjective beautiful having the same 
relation to the noun trees, as to the noun field; but it 
would be absurd to say "a beautiful trees." It should be 
" a beautiful held and fine trees;" or "beautiful fields 
and trees," and the construction is rendered clear and 
regular. 

" This dedication may serve, for almost any book that 
has, is, and shall be published." In this sentence the aux- 
iliaries, has, is, and shall be, equally relate to the verb 
published. But it would be manifestly improper to say 
"any book that has published" — and "is published" is 
unnecessary. It should be " any book that has been, or 
that shall be published." 

False Syntax. 

We should entertain no prejudice to simple 
and rustic persons. 



SYNTAX. ±15 

The first proposal was essentially different, 
and inferior to the second. 

Solid peace and contentment consist neither 
in beauty or riches. 

Several alterations and additions have been 
made to the work. 

Her sobriety and silence is no derogation to 
her understanding. 

This place is not as pleasant as we expect- 
ed. 

As far as I am able to judge, the book is 
well written. 

Neither has he f nor any other persons, sus- 
pected so much dissimulation. 

The king of France or England was to have 
been the umpire. 

We can fully confide on none but the truly 
good. 

Sincerity is as valuable and even more 
valuable than knowledge. 

Whatever we do secretly, shall be displayed 
and heard in the clearest light. 

We are often disappointed of things, which, 
before possession, promised much enjoyment. 

I have no occasion of his services. 

He was accused with having acted dishonour- 
ably. 

Though the practice is conformable with 
custom, it is not warrantable. 

Many have profited from good advice. 

The deaf man. whose ears were opened, and 



116 ENGLISH GRAMMAK. RULE 30. 

his tongue loosened, doubtless, glorified the 
great Physician. 

Rule 30. 

Interjections require the objective case of a 
pronoun of the first person, after them; as 
*jj Ah ! me $ but the nominative of a noun or 
pronoun of the second or third person; as 
«? Oh ! thou j" &e. 

False Syntax. 

Oh ! thee, who art so unmindful of thy duty. 

Ah ! wretched I, how ungrateful ! 

O ! happy them, surrounded with so many 
blessings. 

Hail! thee, that art highly favoured. 

How swiftly our time passes away ! and Ah ! 
we — how little concerned to improve it ! 

Welcome thee, who hast been so long ex- 
pected. 



Promiscuous examples of false syntax. 

Neither the pens nor the ink was on the 
table. 

Teach me to feel anothers woe. 

By exercising of our memories they are im- 
proved. 

Wisdom and virtue is superior to every 
cither endowment. 

Those are the men who I saw yesterday* 



SYNTAX, 117 

Neithjer riches, or honour, nor knowledge 
can be compared with virtue. 

If he prefer a virtuous life, and is sincere in 
his professions, he will probably succeed. 

He has been spoke to on the subject. 

Although William be a poor man, he is vir- 
tuous, and deserving of esteem. 

What signifies good opinions when our prac- 
tice do not correspond with them ? 

Them to whom much is given, will have 
much to answer for. 

The human mind cannot be long without 
some food to nourish the activity of his thoughts. 

The indulgence of harsh dispositions are the 
introduction of future misery. 

I intend to set out on my journey to-mor- 
row, if the weather proves favourable. 

He does not want courage, but is defective 
in sensibility. 

You and us enjoy many privileges. 

Precept nor discipline is not so forcible as 
example. 

He writes as the best authors would have 
wrote on the subject. 

I need not to solicit him to do a kind ac- 
tion. 

Whatever others do, let thou and I act 
wisely. 

There is no condition so secure, as cannot 
admit of change. 



118 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

Him descending the precipice, they all fol- J 
lowed. 

Neither the clock or the watch keep time; 
well. 

Be composed ; it is me, you have no cause' 
for fear. 

By curbing of our passions, they are sub- 
dued. 

Did he not fear the Lord, and besought the 
Lord ? 

Learning strengthens the mind ; and, if pro- 
perly applied, would improve our morals too. 

The property of James, I meau his books 
and furniture, were wholly destroyed. 

Not one in fifty of those who call themselves 
deists, understand the nature of the religion 
they reject. 

His sea-sickness was so great, that I often 
feared he would have died before our arrival. 

How much is real virtue and merit exposed 
to the hardships of life. 

That celebrated work was published nearly 
ten years before its merits were understood. 

Having thus began to throw off the restraints 1 
of reason, he was soon hurried into deplorable 
excesses. 

Though the fact be mysterious, it is worthy! 
©f attention. 

If it was possible, they would deceive thej 
very elect. 

I 



SYNTAX. 119 

If it were him Mho acted so ungratefully, 
he is doubly in fault. 

He is a person of property, but does not 
possess the esteem of his neighbours. 

He bus travelled much and passed through 
man)' stormy seas and lands. 

If it was so, why should not my spirit be 
troubled ? 

Constantinople w 7 as the point, in which was 
concentrated the learning and science of the 
world. 

Habits must be acquired of temperance and 
of self-denial, that we may be able to resist 
pleasure, and to endure pain, when either of 
them interfere with our duty. 

The error of resting wholly on faith, or on 
works, is one of those seductions which most 
easily misleads men ; under the semblance of 
puty, on the one hand, and of virtue on the 
other. 

It is an invariable law to our present condi- 
tion, that every pleasure that are pursued to 
excess, convert themselves into poison. 

Pericles gained such an ascendant over the 
minds of the Athenians, that he might be said 
to attain a monarchical power in Athens. 

Affluence might give us respect, in the eyes 
of the vulgar, but will not recommend us to 
the wise and good. 

The cheerful and the gay, when warmed by 
pleasure and by mirth, lose that sobriety and 



120 ENGLISH GKAMMAR. 

self-denial, which is essential to the support of 
virtue. 

How much is real virtue and merit exposed 
to suffer the hardships of a stormy life. 
* There are principles in man, which ever 
have, and ever will incline him to offend. 

These men were under high obligations to 
have adhered to their friend in every situation 
of life. 

A great mass of rocks thrown together by 
the hand of nature, with wildness and confu- 
sion, strike the mind with more grandeur than, 
if they were adjusted to one another with the 
accuratest symmetry. 

When we succeed in our plans, its not to be 
attributed always to ourselves; the aid of 
others often promote the end, and claim our 
acknowledgment. 

All the power of ridicule, aided by the de- 
sertion of friends and the diminution of his 
estate, were not able to shake his principles. 

He will one day reap the reward of his la- 
bour, if he is diligent and attentive. Until 
that period comes, let him be contented and 
patient. 

The conduct which has been mentioned, is 
one of those artifices which seduces men most 
easily, under the appearance of benevolence. 

Not a creature is there that moves, nor a 
vegetable that grows, but what, when minute- 



SYNTAX. 121 

Jy examined, furnished materials for pious ad- 
miration. 

If Providence clothe the grass of the field, 
and shelters and adorns the flowers that every 
where grows wild amongst it, will he not 
clothe and protect his servants and children 
much more. 

I intended to have finished the letter before 
the bearer called, that he might not have 
been detained ; but I was prevented by com- 
pany. 

Examples of improper construction adapted to 
the Notes under the several Rules of Syntax. 

He that hath a mind to work let him work. 

Two nouns, when they come together, and do not sig- 
nify the same thing, the former should be in the posses- 
sive case. 

Many words, they darken speech. 

The cares of this world, they often choke the growth 
of virtue. 

The generous never extols their good actions. 

These goods we have just brought from Philadelphia, 
and are of the same kind with those which were sent from 
New York. 

The cause of his failure was the heavy losses he had 
sustained. 

His chief occupation and enjoyment were reading. 

Every plant, every flower, and every drop of water, 
abound with living creatures. 

Every desire of the heart, every secret thought, are 
known to him who made us. 

Either thou or I art the person alluded to. 

Neither Thomas nor thou will have liberty to go. 

Were the globes or the map injured by the accident ? 
li 



I£2 Ex^GLTSH GRAMMAR. 

Those are the birds whom we call carnivorous. 

Who of his neighbours came to his assistance ? 

Moses was the meekest man whom we read of in the 
Old Testament. 

He is a wise man which thinks well before he speaks. 

The j which seek wisdom will certainly find her. 

The woman which we saw is very amiable. 

Humility is one of the most amiable virtues which we 
can possess. 

Who is she who comes clothed in a robe of light 
green ? 

The men and things which he has studied, have not 
improved his morals. 

Many will acknowledge the excellence of religion who 
cannot tell wherein it consists. 

Jonathan dismissed his servant without any inquiry, 
who had never before committed so unjust an action. 

I do not doubt but what he did it for the best. 

Thou art the friend that hast often relieved me, and 
that has not deserted me now in the time of peculiar 
need. 

I am the man who approves of wholesome discipline, 
and who recommend it by my practice to others. 

Thou and thy brother, as well as several others, should 
be more careful of their conduct. 

Samuel, and thou, and I, have studied diligently, and 
your lesson is now prepared. 

Goid and silver are but the servant of a wise man. 

Every member of the body, every bone, joint and mus- 
cle, have a peculiar office assigned them. 

I hope I shall be ready in less than a hour. 

An union in that which is permanent. 

We have within us a intelligent principle. 

Wisest and best men may sometimes be mistaken. 

The upright man is guided by the fixed principle of 
mind. 

We are placed here for a trial of our virtue. 

A man is the noblest work of the creation. 

He has been much censured for conducting himself 
with a little attention to his business. 



SYNTAX. 123 

His fault was accompanied with so little contrition and 
candid acknowledgment, that he found a few persons to 
intercede for him. 

Charles was extravagant, and by these means became 
poor. 

By the mean of adversity we are often instructed. 

Jacob was industrious, frugal, and discreet, and by this 
means obtained property and reputation. 

Which of them two persons has most distinguished him- 
self? 

Them books are very much abused. 

In the city we are entertained with the works of men : 
in the country, with those of Providence ; that is the pro- 
vince of nature ; this of art. 

The English and the French are neighbours : these are 
islanders : those, inhabit the continent. 

Virtue confers the most supreme dignity on man. 

A well cultivated mind is far more preferable than rank 
or riches. 

lie came from the extremest part of the continents 

Jane 1 is much more happier than her sister. 

She made forty pound of butter in a week* 

The wall was twenty foot high. 

That is a very good piece of ground. 

Please to call the two first classes. 

Thomas had purchased a new pair of shoes, and a pair 
of new boots. 

It was the men's, women's, and children's lot to suffer 
great calamities. 

This measure gained the superintendent, as well as the 
teacher's approbation. 

They very justly condemned the prodigal's, as he was 
called, extravagant conduct. 

They were taken to the captain's of the guard's house. 

The time of William entering 011 business soon arrived. 

If we alter the situation of any of the words, we shall 
presently be sensible of the melody suffering. 

The world's government is not left to chance. 

If ye suffer for righteousnesses sake, happy are ye: 

And he cast himself down at Jesus's feet. 



i24b ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

The extent of the prerogative of the king of England 
is not fully ascertained. 

^ This picture of my friends does not much resemble 
him. 

Robert was an intimate acquaintance of him. 
The cloth was purchased at Wilson the storekeeper's. 
He sold the hides at Smith's, the tanner's and currier's. 
And he went and laid down to rest. 
* ( What regal vestments can with them compare." 
After the storm was ceased we set forward. 
And the king sat him down to eat. 
It will be very difficult to agree his conduct with his 
profession. 

They acted with so much reserve that some people 
doubted them to be honest. 

If thou wrotest as well as thy brother, thy teacher 
would not complain of thee. 

If thou lovedst him, thou wouldst not treat him disre- 
spectfully. 

If thou studiedst attentively, thou wouldst soon acquire 
a knowledge of the subject. 

To be moderate in our views, and proceeding tempe- 
rately in the pursuit of them, is the way to attain success. 
We have done no more than it was our duty to have 
done. 

It would have given me great satisfaction to relieve 
him from his distressed situation. 

We found him better than we expected to have found 
him. 

I always intended to have rewarded him for his ser- 
vices. 

He knew it was his duty, and he ought, therefore, to 
do it. 

This school of all others has better regulations. 
He divided his estate between his five sons. 
The wind no sooner blew, but they hoisted anchor and 
set sail. 

There was no other road but the one we went. 
He was exceeding careful not to give offence. 



Ql\% pUH l]1J\29 Q\]% f a<MJi ]\dl \\\W S.fr)||13A 9l[) 

put? s[|tij aqj; 'dotfl qoi? u }j;\\ oqs pu« 'a-rttj 
-*?u 5jsy j oouoogiunui pun ssaupoxig ijons i|}iA\ 
fe9jn6\50[d pui? §\u\>,\\ .mo joj s qnunnl oq^\ 

•unn^.inup« -<d%p\ <* i\m\\\ S),>v*fqo 
6|uasajil 'puss je unuS b 40 j«9[ * Jdqija 

•uojSi|9J aru} 
jo 90iiassa 9q) ajnjrjsuoo 9ao{ pus Ai|! ujn H 

•AJisnpui jo 
S)onpojd 9qj 9JH 9.ifis«9jd gut? iu*miOAOjdui[ 

•3ST30 3An0^fqO 'JU{ 

-uSuis uosjsd pxrq^ aq; jo 'uomtuoa ursou v "ivtewyid%iiQo 

•joqumu .uqaSus 3i|i in uoqi jo qo??3 
\j}iA\ 93jJ3« jsnui q.T3A aqi 'dou uoi-punfuoa 
aqi A*q p^oauuoD nte joquinu JSjriSliis 
oq; jo spafqns ajouj ao oa\} uaifAV <sa**s 
qoiq a\ 'qip -qnH o; Suxpaooot? '.nsjnSuis 
uosa^d p.uqi a\]i ut unburn] .10 tfflu&n sai* 
-■buiiuou si\ x\\\a\ SupsdS-e 'asua* jnosoad 

'pOOai [B^U^od 9q^J0*q.T3A 3AI}0B aAl}[SUBJ}B 3AL§ ubo 

l 3^h 
0} 3|qB99XoB *a(iiS uvo q.T^A aq}. 0} 3al}bu 

-tiuou '.iBjnSuis uos.13dp.mp sq; jo unou b jnouoq 

•uoipunfuoo b jou 

0} SurpjoooB ^a;^ w»3 q.i3A 3q} o; saubu 

-iuiou 'aqnJuis uosaad pjiq} sqi jo unou b q:qB3A\ 

•uoipunfuoo is J^q^pH 

-JU9JU0D 9AlS UE9 JUOUOq JOU q)|139A\ jaqjpj^ 

•qj3ApB UB \\3A\ 

•qasApB ^••••♦•••••••••jCwa 

U3qumu 
\tjx\\d aqi ui iu3q; q^u\ 33jSb }smn }i ( puv 
uoipunfuoo 3q; A*q popauuoo s^osfqns 



126 * ENGLISH GRAMMAK. 

APPLICATION 

OF THE PRECEDING RULES IN PARSING.* 

Examples, which in Rule 1st and %d may be 

repeated. 

When thou awakest it shall teach thee. 

When ....an adverb. 

Thou a personal pronoun of the second person sin- 
gular, nominative to the verb awakest, 
agreeable to Rule 1st, which says, When a 
noun or pronoun is the subject of a verb, 
it must be in the nominative case. 

awakest an intransitive active verb, of the indicative 

mood, present tense, agreeing with its no- 
minative thou in the second person singu- 
lar, according to Rule 2d, which says, A 
verb must agree with its subject or nomi- 
native in number and person. 

it a personal pronoun, of the third person sin- 
gular, nominative to the verb shall teach, 
agreeable to Rule 1st, which says, When 
a noun or pronoun, &,c. 

shall teach.,... a transitive active verb, of the indicative 
mood, first future tense, agreeing w^th its 
nominative it in the third person singular^, 
according to Rule 2d, which says, A. verb 
must agree with its subject or nominative, 
&c. 

thee a personal pronoun of the second person 

singular, objective case. 

They eame, as we had desired ; and they 
were gladly received by us* 

He went, he saw, he conquered, 

* The Rules of Syntax have been constructed so as to 
embrace all the varieties that generally occur in parsing ; 
but as our language is acknowledged to be exceedingly 
anomalous, the notes annexed to the Rules are so framed 
as to include most of the irregularities that occur in com- 
position. Hence, in parsing abstruse sentences, it may 
be necessary to refer to them. 



1 



SYNTAX. 127 

Men who grasp after riches are never sa- 
tis fied. 

He is a happy man, who has a friend. 

Alms given with ostentation discover pride. 

Thou art a friend to whom I am highly in- 
debted. 

Virtue will be rewarded, and vice will be 
punished. 

She may have forgotten me; but I shall al- 
ways remember her. 

Let us improve ourselves, while we have 
opportunity. 

Seest thou not that humility makes a man 
honourable ? 

Who can preserve himself from danger? 

To see the sun is pleasant. 

SECTION 2. 

Examples, in which Rule 3d and Uh should he 
repeated. 

Thomas and John read very well. 

Thomas a noun, of the third person singular, one of 

the nominatives to the verb read, accord- 
ing to Rule 1. 

and a conjunction. 

John a noun of the third person singular, one of 

the nominatives to the verb read, accord- 
ing to Rule 1 . 

read an intransitive active verb, of the indicative 

mood, present tense, agreeing with its two 
nominatives Thomas and John in the third 
person plural, according to Rule 3d, 
which says, When a verb has two or more 



"6 f l 



'3\\%\\ wq vanity p34tJAi;{no *ssq oqA\ %r\i\ 
s g$jsd V53z% ssssossod oqA\ q^noA* s h^ noqj 9Ai90J9d i 
•gosjd -jsqi ui Xjjgdojd o* pgpugjrs 3.0U si uoi^onp^ 
•suorps pooJ si sousjsqns pqos put; 9jnd oxr). * uiop 
-stay jo A\opsqs «io uoi:p9U9j 9q* %nq si ssjnoosip poo*) 

d -pnp 

-uoo 9sia\ pus punos jo q^sd sqj uxoaj x\o£ p9|siui u9}ju 

'suoisssd puuis .10 «9jn?,su \\i jo 'spud jo 'q^ojs >ou sej^ 

•0} p9}qopui A*fqi?;q uis 1 uioqA\ pu^ijj s si qh 

<«• A*p:nq ua\0}-}s^A\. °* uoaq noqj }ssH 

•S]iSA9jd is9J9:un-j|as 9fdo9d jo sssp a*j9A9 Suouiy 

r ss9u; , e9jS Jpqj 03. uopxiumup s si pnpuoo qons 

•9snoq 9qj 'uiojj 
U9Aijp iC[qiojoj pins 'ojui 90USJ}U9 pasnpj 9J9A\ A*oqx 

£ 99S 0} JOJ 110A* }U9A\ ^qM. 

^U9ui9Aojduii qouui 9pmi 
$ou ssq 9q U9qA\ souis 'a*jjs9 003, [ooqos 9ifi ;j9{ s9[jsqo 

's;u9ui ua\o siq 

p9}U9S9jd9J ^{99JJ 00} 9l| 9J9qA\ U0lU}9d S dl\ A\9jp 9£[ 

•9Uioq y& pj^u»A\ ssa\ i A\oq 9ui o; 9}0JA\ Xgqx 
•uiiq pjo} i iv\\\ A\oq piss A\iu9H 

•0U JO SuiqiAV SSAV J9}SSUI Siq J9lf}9qAV oS ppiOA\ 9££ 

•9jnsB9id jno o; A;np jno J9j9jd pjinoqs sAsMps 9^vi 
*{p3Uis 9q suoiss3ssod jno qj^noq^ 4 9aij Apddsq A*siu 9^ 

qnjss900Usun ssav 9q qifrioq} <p9}os Ajqou uisqji \± 

•uuq assqgp pjnoA\ }onp 
-uoo siq; *iq*qS9A\ pus ;s9j3 os j9A9u 9J9a\ sq qSnoqx 

# 9jn;S95 JO 90U9^l!9q9A 

Ji9qi ssa\ ^qSnoq; jo 90U9raaq9A Ji9i[} o} Ajqsuuojuoa 

•9ussi snojddsojd pus uoos 
* joj adoq a*sui oa\ 'sSumuiSsq 9[qsunoASj 9S9q; uiojj 
•Xppiu i[5uip990X9 p9Asq9q ifoqj/ 



SYNTAX. 129 

Self-conceit, presumption, and obstinacy, 
blast the prospect of many a rising youth. 

John, James, or Joseph, intends to under- 
take the business. 

Strength and weapons cannot avail, where 
conduct and courage are wanting. 

The earth and the moon revolve round the 
sun. 

A circle, a square, a triangle, or a hexagon, 
pleases the eye by its regularity. 

SECTION 3. 

Examples , in which Rule 6th should be repeated* 

The family were all well yesterday. 

The the definite article. 

family a noun of multitude, conveying plurality of 

idea, nominative to the verb were, accord- 
ing to Uule 1. 

were a neuter verb of the indicative mood, imper- 
fect tense, agreeing with its nominative 
family in the third person plural, accord- 
ing to Rule 6th, which says, When the 
subject is a noun of multitude which con- 
veys plurality of idea, the verb must agree 
with it in the plural number. 

all an adjective- 

well an adjective. 

yesterday an adverb . 

The assembly have passed several excellent 
laws. 

A great number does not always argue 
strength. 

The British Parliament is composed of 
Kings, Lords, and Commons. 



130 ENGIilSH GRAMMAR. 

The people do not consider their true inte- 
rest. 

Mankind, in particular, have many advan- 
tages in such climates. 

The j carl) meeting Was very large* 

And The multitude wendered at those things 
which they saw and Ik ad, 

SECTION 4. 

Examples, in which Rule 7th* Pth, 9th 9 and 

ldtlu should be applied. 
A woman, who is virtuous, will be esteemed. 

A. an article. 

woman a noun of the third person singular, nominative 

to the verb -will be esteemed, according to 
Rule 1. 

who.. a relative pronoun, agreeing with its antecedent 

noun •wrsmtm, in the third person singular, fe- 
minine gender, according to Rule 7, which 
says, A fmmoun must agree with its antece- 
dent, or the noun which it represents in num- 
ber, gender and person ; and nominative to 
the verb zs, according to Hule i. 

is...,* a neuter verb of the indicative mood, present 

tense, agreeing with its nominative who, in the 
third person singular, agreeable to Rule 2. 

virtuous.. an adjective. 

will be esteemed... a passive verb, of the indicative mood, 
first future tense, agreeing with its nominative 
-woman in the third person singular, agreeable 
to kule 2. 

The king a^sd the queen had put on their rubes. 

The ..an article. 

king a noun of the third person singular, one of the 

nominatives to the verb had put, according to 

Rule 1. 
and.... ...a conjunction. 



SYNTAX. 131 

the...... ...an article. m 

queen a noun of the third person singular, one ot the 

nominatives to the verb had put, according- to 
Rule 1. . 

fead put.. ..a transitive active verb of the indicative mood, 
pluperfect tense, agreeing with its two nomi- 
natives, kirn and queen, in the third person 
plural, according to Kule 3. 

on..... ...... an adverb. 

their a personal pronoun, agreeing with its two ante- 
cedents kivg and queen connected by the con- 
junction and, in the third person plural, ac- 
cording to Rule 8, which says, When a pro- 
noun refers to two or more antecedents con- 
nected by the conjunction and, it should agree 
with them in the plural number. 

robes a noun of the third person plural. 

Wheat or rye, when ir is scorched, may supply 
the place of coffee. 

Wheat. ...a noun of the third person singular, nominative 
to the verb may supply, according to Rule 1. 

or.. a conjunction. 

rye a noun of the third person singular, nominative 

to the verb may supply, according to Rule 1. 

when an adverb. _ 

it... a personal pronoun, agreeing with its antece- 
dent -wheat or rye, in the third person singular, 
neuter, agreeable to Rule 9th, which says, 
When a pronoun has two or more antecedents 
of the singular number, connected by the con- 
junction or or nor, it must agree with each of 
them in the singular number ; and nominative 
to the verb is scorched, according to Rule 1. 

is scorched.. a passive verb of the indicative mood, pre- 
sent tense, agreeing with its nominative it, in 
the third person singular, agreeable to Rule 2. 

mav supply..a transitive active verb, of the potential 
* mood, present tense, agreeing with its nomi- 

native reheat or rye in the third person singu- 
lar, according to Rule 4th, which says, &c. 



132 ENGLISH GKAMMAK. 

the an article, &c . 

place* a noun of the third person singular, objective 

case. 

of. ...a preposition. 

coffee ..a noun of the third person singular. 

The man whom we saw this morning, and 
who told us of our friend's indisposition, 
intends to call on his way home. 

James was of a meek forgiving temper, by 
which he acquired the esteem of all who knew 
him. 

It is not the uttering nor the hearing of 
certain words, that constitutes the worship of 
the Almighty. It is the heart, that praises or 
prays. 

The committee was very large, when this 
point was decided, and its judgment has not 
been called in question. 

The fair sex, whose task is not to mingle in 
the labours of public life, have their own part 
assigned them to act. 

Compassion is an emotion, of which you 
should never be ashamed. 

He who formed the heart, certainly knows 
what passes within it. 

SECTION 5. 

Examples, in which Rule 11, 12, 13, and 14, 

should be repeated. 

A wise man's anger is of short duration. 

A. «t •.*...,.. an article, relating to the noun mail's, agreeable 
to Rule 11, which says, Articles and adjectives 
relate to nouns expressed or understood, 



SYNTAX, 133 

wise an adjective relating to the noun man's, agree- 
able to Rule 11th, which says, Articles and 
adjectives relate to nouns expressed or under- 
stood. 

man's a noun of the third person singular, governed 

by the noun anger in the possessive case, ac- 
cording to Rule. 12, which says, When two 
nouns, or a pronoun and noun are used to- 
gether, implying property or possession, the 
latter governs the former in the possessive 
case. 

anger....*.. a noun of the third person singular, nominative 
to the verb is, agreeable to Rule 1, and go- 
verning the noun man's, in the possessive case, 
according to Rule 12, which says, When 
two nouns, or a pronoun and noun are used 
together, implying property or possession, the 
latter governs the former in the possessive 
case. 

is....... a neuter verb, of the indicative mood, present 

tense, agreeing with its nominative anger, in 
the third person singular, agreeable to Rule 2. 

of. a preposition. 

short an adjective relating to the noun duration, 

agreeable to Rule 11, which says, Articles 
and adjectives relate to nouns expressed or 
understood. 

duration.. a noun of the third person singular. 

Hope, the balm of life, sooths the soul. 

Hope a noun of the third person singular, nominative 

to the verb sooths, by Rule 1. 

the.... an article, relating to the noun balm, agreea- 
ble to Rule 11, which says, Articles and ad- 
jectives relate to nouns expressed or under- 
stood. * 

balm. a noun of the third person singular, in apposi- 
tion with the noun hope, according to Rule 13, 
which says, When a noun or personal pro- 
M 



134 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

noun is used to explain a preceding noun, it 

is in apposition with it, and must be in the 

same case. 

of....* a preposition. 

life —a noun of the third person singular. 

sooths a transitive active verb, of the indicative mood, 

present tense, agreeing with its nominative 

hope, in the third person singular, according 

to Rule 2. 
the an article, relating to the noun sow/, agreeable 

to Rule 11, which says, &c. 
soul a noun of the third person singular. 

My son, give me thy heart. 

My a personal pronoun, of the first person singular, 

governed by the noun son, in the possessive 
case, according to Rule 12, which says, &c. 

son ..-a noun addressed in the second person singu- 
lar, nominative case, according to Rule 14, 
which says, when a noun or pronoun, is ad- 
dressed in the second person, or connected 
with a participle as its subject, it must be in 
the nominative case ; and governing the pro- 
noun my in the possessive case, according to 
Rule 12, which says, &c. 

give... a transitive active verb, of the imperative mood, 

agreeing with its nominative thou under- 
stood, in the second person singular, accord- 
ing to Rule 2. 

me ,a personal pronoun, of the first person singular, 

objective case. 

thy ....a personal pronoun, of the second person sin- 
gular, governed by the noun heart, in the 
possessive case ; agreeable to Rule 12, which 
says, &c. 

heart a noun of the third person singular, objective 

case ; and governing the pronoun thy in the 
possessive case ; according to Rule 12, which 
says, &c. 



SYNTAX. 135 

They knocking, the door was opened. 

They a personal pronoun, of the third person 

plural, nominative case, connected with 
the participle knocking, agreeable to Kule 
14th, which says, When a noun or pro- 
noun is addressed in the second person, 
or connected witli a participle as its sub- 
ject, it must be in the nominative case* 

knocking* an active participle from the verb knock. 

the an article, relating* to the noun door, accord- 
ing to Rule 11, which says, &c. 

door..» ....a noun of the third person singular, nomina- 
tive to the verb -was opened, according to 
Rule 1. 

was opened... a passive verb, of the indicative mood, im- 
perfect tense, agreeing with its nomina- 
tive door, in the third person singular, ac- 
cording to Uule 2. 

A regular and virtuous education is an in- 
estimable blessing. 

Our food, and our raiment, our life, and 
our health, are the gifts of Divine Provi- 
de nee. 

If our desires be moderate, our wants will 
be few. 

Every heart know 7 s its own sorrows. 

The book was purchased of James, the ped- 
ler, him who was here last week. 

The children being pleased with their studies, 
the task was more easy. 

My dear friend, how art thou ? 

William, the Conqueror, was a very power- 
ful prince 

At length the little animal's fears being 



136 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

abate<J, and his appetite quickened by the scent 
of the victuals, he arose, and, with trembling, 
ventured to eat^ 

Men and brethren, what shall we do to be 
saved ? 

Our wants are daily, and the temptations 
which draw our minds from God, are also 
daily ; and on both these accounts ought our 
prayers to be daily also. 

Cain and Abel, the first two sons of Adam 
and Eve, pursued very different occupations. 
Cain was a tiller of the ground ; but Abel was 
a keeper of sheep. 

A man, whose mind is stored with useful 
knowledge, may be very serviceable to his fel- 
low-creatures. 

Teach me to feel another's woe. 

My son, aspire not thou to public honours: 
thy wealth will set thee above insult. 

SECTION 6. 

Examples, in which Rule 16, 17, and 18, should 

be repeated* 

He advised them to sell their possessions. 

He a personal pronoun, of the third person singular, 

nominative to the verb advised, agreeable to 
Rule 1. 

&dvised...a transitive active verb, of the indicative mood, 
imperfect tense, agreeing with its nominative 
he, in the third person singular, according to 
Rule 2, which says, &c. and governing the 
pronoun them, in the objective ease, agreeable 
to Rule 16, which says, A transitive verb, or its 



SYNTAX. 137 

active participle, governs the noun or pronoun 
which is its object, in the objective case. 

them....... a personal pronoun of the third person plural, 

governed by the transitive verb advised, in the 
objective case, agreeable to Rule 16, which 
says, A transitive verb, or its active participle, 
governs the noun or pronoun which is its ob- 
ject, in the objective case. 

to..... a preposition, governing the verb sell, in the 

infinitive mood, agreeable to Rule 18, which 
says, The preposition to governs the infinitive 
mood. 

sell a transitive active verb, governed by the pre- 
position to in the infinitive mood, according 
to Rule 18, which says, The preposition to 
governs the infinitive mood : and governing 
the noun possessions in the objective case, 
agreeable to Rule 16, which says, A transitive 
verb, Sec. 

their..... ..a personal pronoun, of the third person plural, 

governed by the noun possessions in the pos- 
sessive case, agreeable to Rule 12, which says, 
When two nouns or a pronoun and noun are 
used together, implying property or posses- 
sion, the latter governs the former in the pos- 
sessive case. 

possessions, .a noun of the third person plural, governed 
by the transitive verb sell, in the objective 
case, according to Rule 16, which says, &c. 
and governing the pronoun their in the pos- 
sessive case, agreeable to Rule 12. 

Let us improve ourselves. 

Let a transitive active verb of the imperative mood, 

agreeing with its nominative ye or you, under- 
stood, in the second person plural, according 
to Rule 2 ; governing the pronoun us, in the 
objective case, agreeable to Rule 16, which 
says, Sec. and governing the verb improve in 
the infinitive mood, agreeable to Rule 18, 
M 2 



IBS ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

which says, The verbs bid, dare, feel, let, &c. 
govern verbs following them in the infinitive 
mood. 

us a personal pronoun, of the first person plural, 

governed by the transitive verb let, in the ob- 
jective case, agreeable to Rule 16, which says, 
&c. 

improve a transitive active verb, governed by the verb 

let in the infinitive mood, agreeable to Rule 
18, which says, The verbs bid, dare, feel, let, 
&c. govern verbs following them in the infini- 
tive mood : and governing the pronoun our- 
selves in the objective case, agreeable to Rule 
16, which says, &c. 

ourselves.. a personal pronoun, of the first person plural, 
governed by the transitive verb improve in 
the objective case, agreeable to Rule 16^ 
which says, &c. 

Jarnes was an honest man. 

James a noun of the third person singular, nominative 

to the verb was, according to Rule I. 

was a neuter verb, of the indicative mood, imper- 
fect tense, agreeing with its nominative James 
in the third person singular, according to 
Rule 2. 

an an article, relating to the noun mart, agreeable 

to Rule 11. 

honest.... an adjective, relating to the noun man, accord- 
ing to Rule 11. 

man.. ...... a noun of the third person singular, nominative 

following the neuter verb -was, agreeable 
to Rule 17, which says, Neuter verbs and 
their participles followed by a nbun or pro- 
noun, must have the same case after as before 
them. 

Teach thy child to be obedient, and he will 
bless thee. 
Let us hearken to the precepts of virtue. 



SYNTAX. ±o 



139 



A little bed of carnations perfumes a whole 
garden. This flower is the emblem of a per- 
son who possesses both wisdom and goodness, 
and who knows how to conciliate the love and 
respect of his fellow-creatures. 

The mind, unoccupied With useful know- 
ledge, becomes a magazine of trifles and fol- 
lies. 

Virtue refines the affections, but vice de- 
bases them. 

To be satisfied with a little is great wis- 
dom. He that increases his treasures, in- 
creases his anxiety and care. 

The highest learning is to be wise, and the 
greatest wisdom is to be good. 

Guard well thy thoughts ; our thoughts are 
heard in heaven. 

Let us be animated in the pursuit of useful 
knowledge. 

section 7. 

Examples, in which Rule 28, and 30, should 

be repeated. 

She acted so prudently on all occasions, that 
she was universally beloved. 

She a personal pronoun, of the third person singu- 
lar, nominative to the verb acted, agreeable to 
Rule 1. 

acted an intransitive active verb, of the indicative 

mood, imperfect tense, agreeing with its no- 
minative she in the third person singular, ac= 
cording to Rule 2, 

so ,..«.. a conjunction, 



1M ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

prudently.. an adverb, expressing 1 the planner of the verb 
acted. 

on a preposition, governing the noun occasion, in 

the objective case, agreeable to Rule 28, which 
says A preposition governs the noun or pro- 
noun which is its object in the objective case. 

all ...an adjective, relating to the noun occasions, ac- 
cording to Rule 11. 

occasions.. a noun of the third person plural, governed by 
the preposition on in the objective case, agree- 
able to Rule 28, which says, A preposition go- 
verns, &c. 

that a conjunction. 

she —a personal pronoun, of the third person singu- 
lar, nominative to the verb was beloved, ac- 
cording to Rule 1. 

was an auxiliary 4>f the verb -was beloved. 

universally. . an adv erb . 

beloved, was btloved, a passive verb of the indicative 
mood, imperfect tense, agreeing with its no- 
minative she in the third person singular, ac- 
cording to Rule 2. 

He has acted wisely and prudently in this 
"business, so that he cannot be justly censured 
by his companions. 

A constant habit of unprofitable amusement, 
relaxes the tone of the mind, and renders it 
totally incapable of applicari >n to study. 

Who art thou, O man ! that presumest on 
thy own wisdom. 

Though he fall, yet he shall not be utterly 
cast ck»\vn. 

Oh ! \M humiliation to which vice arid folly 
reduce us. 



SYNTAX. 141 

Promiscuous Examples of FaUt Syntax, to he 
corrected and parsed by the preceding Rules. 

Virtue and mutual confidence is the soul 
of friendship. Where these are wanting* 
disgust or hatred often follow little differ- 
ences. 

An army present a painful sight to a feeling 
mind. 

Reason's whole pleasure, all the joys of 
sense, 

Lies in three words, health, peace, and com- 
petence. 

We have subjected ourselves to much ex- 
pense, that thou may be well educated. 

He acted conformable with his instructions, 
and cannot be censured justly. 

Temperance, more than medicines, are the 
proper means of curing many diseases. 

No person could speak stronger on this sub- 
ject, nor behave nobler, than our young advo- 
cate for the cause of toleration. 

The people's happiness is the statesmans 
honour. 

If it were them who acted so ungratefully, 
they were doubly in fault. 

This is the person who we are so much 
obliged to, and who we expected to have seen, 
when the favour was conferred. 



142 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

He is a person of great property, but does 
not possess the esteem of his neighbours. 

I know not whether Charles was the au- 
thor* but I understood it to be he. 

When we see baf! men to be honoured, and 
prosperous in the world, it is some discourage- 
ment to virtue. 

It is not the uttering nor the hearing certain 
words, that constitute the worship of the Al- 
mighty. It is the heart that praises or prays. 
If the heart accompanies not the words that 
are spoken, we offer a sacrifice of fools. 

Neither flatter or contemn the rich or the 
great. 

If Providence clothe the grass of the field, 
and shelters and adorns the flowers that every 
where grows wild among it. will he not clothe 
ar ■•' protect his children and servants much 
more ? 

i intended to have finished the letter before 
the bearer called, that he might not have been 
detained ; but I was prevented by company. 

This task was the easier performed, from 
the cheerfulness with which he engaged in it. 

The concourse of people were so great, that 
with difficulty we passed through them. 

Two principles in human nature reign ; 
Self-love to urge, and reason to restrain ; 



SYNTAX. 1^3 

Nor that a good, nor this a had we call ; 

Each works its end, to move or govern all. 

A circle, a square, a triangle, or a hexagon 
please the eye by their regularity, as beautiful 
figures. 

There was much spoke and wrote on each 
side of the question ; but I have chose to take 
part with neither. 

Oh ! thee, my voice inspire, 

Who touched Isaiahs hallowed lips with fire. 

Every thing that we here enjoy, change, 
decav, and come to an end. 

The pleasure or pain of one passion differ 
from that of another. 

She was very desirous to have gone home- 
last week ; but we wished her stay longer, and 
she complied with our request. 

Desires and wishes are the first spring of 
action. When they become exorbitant, the 
whole of the character are like to be tainted. 

It would have given me great satisfaction, 
to relieve him from that distressed situation. 

We have done no more than it was our duty 
to have. done. 

Next week is the time for holding the an- 
nual meeting. - 

No one engages in that business, unless he 
aim at reputation. 

I shall walk out to-day, unless it rains. 



114 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

OF PUNCTUATION. 

Punctuation is the art of dividing a written 
composition into sentences, or parts of sen- 
tences, by points or stops, for the purpose of 
marking the different pauses which the sense 
and an accurate pronunciation require. 

The Comma represents the shortest pause ; 
the Semicolon, a pause double that of a Com- 
ma ; the Colon, double that of the Semicolon j 
and the Period, double that of the Colon. 

OF THE COMMA. 

Rule 1. With respect to a simple sentence, 
the several words of which it consists have so 
near a relation to each other, that, in general, 
no points are requisite, except a period at 
the end of it : as U The fear of the Lord is the 
beginning of wisdom." 

A simple sentence, however, when it is a 
long one, and the nominative case is accom- 
panied with several adjuncts, may admit of a 
pause immediately before the verb: as "To 
be totally indifferent to praise or censure, is 
a real defect in character." 

Examples. 

The tear of repentance brings its own relief. 

It is honourable to be a friend to the unfor- 
tunate. 

The indulgence of harsh dispositions is the 
introduction of future misery. 



PUNCTUATION. 145 

Ruxe 2. When the connexion of the dif- 
ferent parts of a simple sentence is interrupt- 
ed by an imperfect phrase, a comma is usually 
introduced before the beginning, and at the 
end of this phrase : as « I remember, with gra- 
titude, his goodness to me ;" ** His work is, 
in many respects, very imperfect ; it is, there- 
fore, not much approved." But when these 
interruptions are slight and unimportant, the 
comma is better omitted : as " Flattery is cer* 
tainly pernicious. 55 

Examples. 

Gentleness is in truth the great avenue to 
mutual enjoyment 

Charity like the sun brightens all its ob- 
jects 

Advice should be seasonably administered 

Ruxe 3. When two nouns occur in the 
same construction ; or two or more adjectives 
belong to the same noun ; or two or more verbs 
have the same nominative, and immediately 
follow one another ; or two or more adverbs 
immediately succeed one another, they must 
be separated by commas; as «« Reason, virtue, 
answer one great aim ;" « Plain, honest truth, 
needs no disguise/ 5 &c. 

Examples, 
Discomposed thoughts agitated passions 
and ruffled temper poison every pleasure of 
life 

N 



146 ENGJLISH ©EAMMAB. 

Conscious guilt renders us mean-spirited 
timorous and base 

An upright mind will never be at a loss to 
discern what is just and true lovely honest 
and of good report 

The man of virtue and honour will be trust- 
ed relied upon and esteemed 

A true friend unbosoms freely advises justly 
assists readily adventures boldly takes all 
patiently defends resolutely and continues a 
friend unchangeably 

The great business pf life is to be employed 
in doing justly loving mercy and walking 
humbly with our Creator 

To live soberly righteously and piously com- 
prehends the whole of our duty 

RUXE 4e Two nouns, adjectives, verbs, par- 
ticiples, or adverbs, closely connected by a 
conjunction, do not require a comma. But if 
the words thus connected have adjuncts so as 
considerably to lengthen the parts, the comma 
should be used. 

Examples. 

Vicissitudes of good and evil of trials and 
consolations fill up the life of man 

We have no reason to complain of the lot of 
man or of the world's mutability 

True friendship will at all times avoid a 
careless and rough behaviour 



PUNCTUATION. 147 

When thy friend is calumniated openly and 
boldly espouse his cause 

Benefits should be long and gratefully re- 
membered 

Rule 5. When participles are followed by 
something that depends on them, they are ge- 
nerally separated from the rest of the sentence 
by a comma: as "All mankind compose one 
family, assembled under the eye of one com- 
mon Father." 

Examples. 

True gentleness is native feeling heightened 
and improved by principle 

The path of piety and virtue pursued with a 
firm and constant spirit will assuredly lead to 
happiness 

Human affairs are in continual motion and 
fluctuation altering their appearance every 
moment and passing into some new forms 

Rule 6. When a conjunction is divided by 
a phrase or sentence from the verb to which 
it belongs, such intervening phrase has usually 
a comma at each extremity : as " They set out 
early, and, before the close of day, arrived at 
the destined place." 

Examples. 

Gentleness delights above all things to al- 
leviate distress and if it cannot dry up the 
falling tear to sooth at least the grieving heart 

Wherever Christianity prevails it has dis- 



148 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

couraged and in some degree abolished sla- 
very 

We may rest assured that by the steady pur- 
suit of virtue we shall obtain and eiyoy it 

Rui»e 7. Expressions in a direct address, 
are separated from the rest of the sentence by 
commas: as *<l am obliged to you, my friend, 
for your many favours." 

Examples. 

Continue my dear child to make virtue thy 
principal study 

To you my worthy benefactors am I indebt- 
ed under Providence for all I enjoy 

Come then companion of my toils let us 
take fresh courage persevere and hope to the 
end 

Rttxe 8. A noun or pronoun connected with 
a participle as its subject, should be separated 
from the body of the sentence by commas : as 
«* At length, their ministry performed, and 
race well run, they left the world in peace." 

Examples. 

Peace of mind being secured we may smile 
at misfortunes 

Virtue abandoned and conscience reproach- 
ing us we become terrified with imaginary 
evils 

To prevent further altercation I submitted 
fo the terms proposed 



PUNCTUATION. 149 

Rule 9. Nouns in apposition, that is, nouns 
added toother nouns in the same case, by way 
of explication or illustration, when accom- 
panied with adjuncts, are set off by commas : 
as " Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles, was 
eminent for his zeal and knowledge." 

But if such nouns are single, or only forni 
a proper name, they are not divided : as " Paul 
the apostle." 

Examples. 

Hope the balm of life sooths us under every 
misfortune 

Content the offspring of virtue dwells both 
in retirement and in the active scenes of life 

The patriarch Joseph is an illustrious ex- 
ample of chastity resignation and filial affec- 
tion. 

Rule 10. Simple members of sentences con- 
nected by comparatives, are for the most part 
distinguished by a comma: "-As' the ''hart 
panteth after the water brooks, so doth my 
soul pant after thee." 

If the members in comparative sentences are 
short, the comma is in general better omitted : 
as " How much better is it to get wisdom than 
gold." 

Examples. 

Nothing is so opposite to the true enjoyment 

N2 



ISO ENGLISH -GBAMMAV. 

of life as the rekxed and feeble state of an in- 
dolent mind 

The friendships of the world can subsist no 
longer than interest cements them 

Nothing more strongly inculcates resigna- 
tion than the experience of our own inability 
to guide ourselves 

RuIaE 11. When words are placed in op- 
position to each other, or with some marked 
variety, they should be distinguished by a com- 
ma: as 

«* Tho* deep, yet clear ; tho' gentle, yet not 
dull; 

Strong, without rage ; without overflowing, 
full." 

** Good men, in this frail, imperfect state, 
are often found, not only in union with, but in 
opposition to, the views and conduct of one 
another." 

Sometimes, when the word to which the 
last preposition relates, is single, it is better 
to omit the comma before it : as « Many states 
were in alliance with, and under the protec- 
tion of Borne." 

The same rule and restriction must be ap- 
plied when two or more nouns refer to the 
same preposition : as *« He was not only the 
king, but the father of his people." 

Examples. ~ * 

He who is a stranger to industry may pos- 
sess but he cannot enjoy 



PUNCTUATION. 151 

Contrition though it may melt ought not to 
sink or overpower the heart of a Christian 

Idle curiosity an inquisitive and meddling 
spirit often interrupts the good order and 
breaks the peace of society 

Rule 12, A remarkable expression, or a 
short observation, somewhat in the manner of 
a quotation, may be properly marked with a 
comma : as " It hurts a man's pride to say, I 
do not know." 

Examples. 

Vice is not of such a nature that we can 
say to it Hitherto shait thou come and no 
further 

One of the noblest of the Christian virtues 
is to love our enemies 

We are strictly enjoined not to follow a 
multitude to do evil 

Rule 13. Relative pronouns are connective 
words, and generally admit a comma before 
them : as " There is no charm in the female 
sex, which can supply the place of virtue." 

But when two members are closely con- 
nected by a relative, restraining the general 
notion of the antecedent to a particular sense, 
the comma should be omitted : as " A man 
who is of a detracting spirit, will misconstrue 
the most innocent words that can be put to- 
gether." 



10% ENGLISH GHAMMAK. 

In this example the assertion is not of "a man in ge* 
neral," but of " a man who is of a detracting spirit ;" and 
therefore they should not be separated. 

This rule applies equally to cases in which the relative 
is not expressed, but understood : as " It was from piety, 
warm and unaffected, that his morals derived strength." 
" This sentiment, habitual and strong, influenced his 
whole conduct. 9 * In both of these examples, the relative 
and verb, which -was, are understood. 

Examples. 

It is labour only which gives the relish to 
pleasure 

The gentle mind is like the smooth stream 
which reflects every object in its just propor- 
tion and in its fairest colours 

In that unaffected civility which springs 
from a gentle mind there is an incomparable 
charm 

He who is good before invisible witnesses 
is eminently so before the visible 

Ruxe 14. A simple member of a sentence, 
contained within another, or following another, 
must be distinguished by a comma : as "Very 
often, while we are complaining of the vanity 
and the evils of human life, we make that vanity, 
and we increase those evils." 

If, however, the members succeeding each 
other be very closely connected, the comma is 
unnecessary: as « Revelation has informed us 
in what manner our apostacy arose." 

Several verbs in the infinitive mood, hav- 
ing a common dependence, and succeeding 



PUNCTUATIOX. 15S 

one another, are also divided by commas: as 
" To relieve the indigent, to comfort the af- 
flicted, to protect the innocent, to reward the 
deserving, are humane and noble employ- 
Menis." 

Examples* 

If we delay till to-morrow what ought to be 
done to-day we overcharge the morrow with a 
burden which belongs not to it 

By whatever means we may at first attract 
the attention we can hold the esteem and 
secure the hearts of others only by amiable 
dispositions and the accomplishments of the 
mind 

If the mind sow not corn it will plant this- 
tles 

Graceful in youth is the tear of sympathy 
and the heart that melts at the tale of woe 

He who formed the heart certainly knows 
what passes within it 

To |>e humble and modest in opinion to be 
vigilant and attentive in conduct to distrust 
fair appearances and to restrain rash desires 
are instructions which the darkness of our pre- 
sent state should strongly inculcate 

RuiiE 15, When the verb be is followed by a 
verb of the infinitive mood,* which, by trans- 
position, might be made the nominative case 
to it, the former is generally separated from 
the latter verb, by a comma : as « The most 



2l5& ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

obvious remedy is f to withdraw from all asso- 
ciations with bad men." 

Examples. 

The greatest misery is to be condemned by 
our own hearts 

The greatest misery that w r e can endure is 
to be condemned by our own hearts 

Charles's highest enjoyment was to relieve 
the distressed and to do good 

The highest enjoyment that Charles ever 
experienced was to relieve the distressed and 
to do good 

Rule 16. When adjuncts or circumstances 
are of importance, and often when the na- 
tural order of them is inverted, they may be 
separated by commas : as « Virtue must be 
formed and supported, not by unfrequent acts, 
but by daily and repeated exertions." "By 
threads innumerable, our interests are inter- 
woven." 

Examples. 

If opulence increases our gratifications it in- 
creases in the same proportion our desires and 
demands 

By proper management we prolong our time 
we live more in a few years than others do in 
many 

In your most secret actions suppose that you 
hare all the world for witnesses 



JPUNCTITATIOSr. 155 

In youth the habits of indqstry are most 
easily acquired 

Rule 17. Where a verb is understood, a 
comma may be generally introduced: as "From 
law arises security ; from security, curiosity ; 
from curiosity, knowledge." In this example, 
the verb «« arises' 5 is understood before " curi- 
osity" and " knowledge/' at which words a 
considerable pause is necessary. 

This is a general rule, which, besides comprising some 
of the preceding rules, will apply to many cases not deter- 
mined by any of them. 

Examples. 

Providence never intended that any state 
here should be either completely happy or en- 
^rely miserable 

If the spring put forth no blossoms in sum- 
fc mer there will be no beauty and in autumn no 
fruit So if youth be trifled away without im- 
provement manhood will be contemptible and 
old age miserable 

Rule 18. The words nay, no, hence, again, 
first, secondly, formerly, now, lastly, once more, 
above all, on the contrary, in the next place, in 
short, and all other words and phrases of the 
same kind, must be generally separated from 
the context by a comma : as " Remember thy 
first and best friend ; formerly, the support of 
thy infancy, and the guide of thy childhood * 



156 ENGMSH GRAMMAR* 

now, the guardian of thy youth, and the hope 
of thy coming years." 

Examples. 

Be assured then that order frugality and 
economy are the necessary supports of every 
personal and private virtue 

Here every thing is in stir and fluctuation 
there all is serene steady and orderly 

Sometimes timidity and false shame pre- 
vent our opposing vitious customs frequently 
expectation and interest impel us strongly to 
comply 

In many of the foregoing rules and examples, great 
regard must be paid to the length of the clauses, and the 
proportion which they bear to one another. A careful 
attention to the sense of any passage, and to the cleajj, 
easy communication of it, will, it is presumed, with the 
aid of the preceding rules, enable the student to adjust 
the proper pauses, and the places for inserting the commas. * 

OF THE SEMICOLON. 

The semicolon is used for dividing a com- 
pound sentence into two or more parts not so 
closely connected as those which are separated 
by a comma, nor yet so little dependent en 
each other, as those which are distinguished 
by a colon. 

Wh^n the preceding member of a sen- 
tence does not of itself give a complete sense, 
but depends on the following clause, and 
sometimes when the sense of that member 
would be complete without the concluding 



PUNCTUATION. 167 

one, but the latter depending on the former, 
the semicolon is used ; as in the following ex- 
amples : ** As the desire of approbation, when 
it w r orks according to reason, improves the 
amiable part of our species in every thing that 
is laudable ; so nothing is more destructive to 
them, when it is governed by vanity or folly." 
" Straws swim upon the surface ; but pearls lie 
at the bottom." 

Examples. 

That darkness of character where we can 
see no heart those foldings of art through 
which no native affection is allowed to pene- 
trate present an object unamiable in every 
season of life but particularly disagreeable in 
youth 

The path of truth is a plain and a safe path 
that of falsehood is a perplexing maze 

Modesty is one of the chief ornaments of 
youth and has ever been esteemed a presage of 
rising igerit 

Life with a swift though insensible course 
glides away and like a river which undermines 
its banks gradually impairs our state 

Levity is frequently the forced production of 
folly or vice cheerfulness is the natural off- 
spring of wisdom and virtue only 

Fersons who live according to order may 
be compared to the celestial bodies which 
move in regular courses and by stated laws 




±58 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

whose influence is beneficent whose operations 
are quiet and tranquil 

OF THE COLON. 

The colon is used to divide a sentence into 
two or more parts, less connected than those 
which are separated by a semicolon; but not 
so independent as separate, distinct sentences. 

Rule 1. When a member of a sentence 
is complete in itself, but followed by some sup- 
plemental remark, or further illustration of 
the subject, the colon may be properly admit- 
ted : *as « Nature felt her inability to extricate 
herself from the consequences of guilt ; the 
gospel reveals the plan of divine interposition 
and aid." 

Examples. 

The three great enemies to tranquillity are 
vice superstition and idleness vice which poi- 
sons and disturbs the mind with bad passions 
superstition which fills it with imaginary ter- 
rors idleness which loads it with tediousness 
and disgust 

When we look forward into the year which 
is beginning what do we behold there All my 
brethren is a blank to our view a dark un- 
known presents itself 

Happy would the poor man think himself if 
he could enter on all the treasures of the rich 
and happy for a short time he might be but be* 



PUNCTUATION. 159 

fore he had long contemplated and admired 
his state his possessions would seem to lessen 
and his cares would grow 

Rule 2. When several semicolons have 
preceded, and a still greater pause is neces- 
sary, in order to mark the connecting or con- 
cluding sentiment, the colon should be applied: 
as « A. divine legislator, uttering his voice 
from heaven ; an almighty governor, stretch- 
ing forth his arm to punish or reward ; inform- 
ing us of perpetual rest prepared hereafter for 
the righteous, and of indignation arid wrath 
awaiting the wicked : these are the considera- 
tions which overawe the world, which support 
integrity, and cheek guilt/* 

Examples. 

By doing or at least endeavouring to do 
our duty to God and man by acquiring a hum- 
ble trust in the mercy and favour of God 
through Jesus Christ by cultivating our minds 
and properly employing our time and thoughts 
by governing our passions and temper by cor- 
recting all unreasonable expectations from the 
world and from men in the midst of worldly 
business habituating ourselves to calm retreat 
and serious recollection by such means as these 
it may be hoped that through the Divine bless- 
ing our days will flow in a stream as unruffled 
as the human state admits 



160 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

Rule 3. The colon is commonly used when 
an example, a quotation, or a speech, is in 
trod wed : as ** He was often heard to say : - 
have done with the world, and am willing to 
leave it!" 

Examples. 

The scriptures give us an amiable repre- 
sentation of the Deity in these words " God is 
love" 

AH our conduct towards men should be in- 
fluenced by this important precept " Do unto 
others as you would others should do unto 
you" 

Philip III king of Spain when he drew near 
the end of his days seriously reflecting onf his 
past life and greatly affected with the remem- 
brance of his misspent time expressed his deep 
re^rf in these terms « Ah ! how happy would 
it have been for me had I spent these twenty- 
three years that I have held my kingdom in re- 
tirement" 

OF THE PERIOD. 

When a sentence is so complete and inde- 
pendent as not to be connected in construction 
with the following sentence, it is marked with 
a period. 

A period may sometimes be admitted be- 
tween two sentences, though they are joined 
by a conjunction. For the quality of the point 
does not always depend on the connective par- 



PUNCTUATION* 161 

ticiple, but on the sense and structure of sen- 
tences : as, « Recreations, though they be of 
an innocent kind, require steady government, 
to keep them within a due and limited province. 
But such as are of an irregular and vitious na- 
ture, are not to be governed, but, to be banish- 
ed from every well regulated mind. 59 

Examples, 

The absence of Evil is real Good Peace 
Quiet exemption from pain should be a con- 
tinual feast 

Worldly happiness ever tends to destroy 
itself by corrupting the heart !t fosters the 
loose and the Violent passions It engenders 
noxious habits and taints the mind with false 
delicacy which makes it feel a thousand un- 
real evils 

We ruin the happiness of life when we at- 
tempt to raise it too high A tolerable and com- 
fortable state is all that we can propose to our- 
selves on Earth Peace and contentment not 
bliss nor transport are the full portion of Man 
Perfect joy is reserved for Heaven 

If we look around us we shall perceive 
that the whole universe is full of active Pow- 
ers Action is indeed the genius of nature By 
motion and exertion the system of being is 
preserved in vigour By its different parts al- 
ways acting in subordination one to another 
the perfection of the whole is carried on The 
OS 



162 ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 

heavenly bodies perpetually revolve day and 
night incessantly repeat their appointed course 
Continual operations are going on in the earth 
and in the waters nothing stands still 

Of the Dash, Notes of Interrogation and Ex- 
clamation, Sfc. 

THE DASH. 

The Dash, though often used improperly 
by hasty and incoherent writers, may be in- 
troduced with propriety, where the sentence 
breaks off abruptly ; where a significant pause 
is required ; or where there is an unexpected 
turn in the sentiment : as " If thou art he, 
so much respected once — but, oh ! how fallen ! 
how degraded !" " If acting conformably to 
the will of our Creator;— if promoting the 
welfare of mankind around us ; — if securing 
our own happiness ; — are objects of the highest 
moment : then we are loudly called upon to 
cultivate and extend the great interests of re- 
ligion and virtue.'* 

INTERROGATION. 

A note of Interrogation is used at the end 
of an interrogative sentence ; that is, when a 
question is asked $ as « WJ*) "will accompany 
me?" 

Questions which a person asks himself in 
contemplation, ought to be^ terminated by 



1»ITNCTUATI0N. 



163 



points of interrogation : as " Who adorned the 
heavens with such exquisite beauty V' 

A point of interrogation is improper after sentences 
which are not questions, but only expressions of admira- 
tion or some other emotion. 

-How many instances have'we of chastity and excel- 
lence in the fair sex !" . . 

A note of interrogation should not be employed, in- 
cases where it is only said a question has been asked, and 
where the words are not used as a question. 

"The Cyprians asked me, why I wept. 

To give this sentence the interrogative form it should 
be expressed thus : 

« The Cyprians said to me, Why dost thou weep 1 

EXCLAMATION. 

The note of Exclamation is applied to ex- 
pressions of sudden emotion, surprise, grief, 
joy &e. and also to invocations or addresses : 
as i " Mv friend ! this conduct amazes me \" 
« Bless "the Lord, my soul; and forget not 
all his benefits i" 

It is difficult in some cases, to distinguish between an 
interrogative and exclamatory sentence ; but a sentence, 
in which any wonder or admiration is expressed, and no 
answer either expected or implied, may be always pro- 
perly terminated by a note of exclamation : as How 
much vanity in the pursuits of men !» « W ho can suffi : 
clently express the goodness of our Creator . 
PARENTHESIS. 

A parenthesis is a clause containing some 
necessary information, or useful remark, in- 
troduced into the body of the sentence oblique- 
ly, and which may be omitted without injuring 
the construction j as 



*64 EJfGLTSH GKAMMAH, 

'^"know'r 1 tblS trUth (en ° Dgh f ° r man iQ 
" Virtue alone is happiness below " 

If the incidental clause be short/or perfectly 
eo.nc.de with the rest of the sentence, it is S 

Th? Ml*" - ,SR - th ? P are " ti,etic ^ characters 
Ihe following instances are therefore impro- 
per uses of the parenthesis :_« Speak you 
(who saw) his wonders in the deep." « Every 
planet (as the Creator has made nothing 
vain) is most probably inhabited." 
Examples of the Bash, Interrogation, $c. 
Beauty and strength combined with virtue 
and piety how lovely in the sight of men how 
pleas.ng to heaven peculiarly pleasing because 
with every temptation to deviate they voS 
tanly walk in the path of duty 
"I'll live to-morrow" will a wise man say 
To-morrow is too late then live to-day 
What is there in all the pomp of the world 
the enjoyments of luxury the gratification of 
passion comparahle to the tranquil delist of 
a good conscience s 

m To lie down on the pillow after a day spent 
swe^T 06 in be » e ^e„ce and in piety how 

We wait till to-morrow to be happy alas 
Why not to-day Shall we be youneer Are if 
sure we shall be healthier Wi <fu nZsiom 
become feebler and our loye of the worl 1 5 



PUNCTUATION. 165 

As in riper years all unseasonable Returns 
to the levity of youth ought to be laid aside 
and admonition which equally belongs to both 
the sexes still more are we to guard against 
those intemperate indulgences of pleasure to 
which the young are unhappily prone 

The bliss of man could pride that blessing find 
Is not to act or think beyond mankind 

Promiscuous examples for Punctuation. 

He who shuts out all evasion when he pro*- 
mises loves truth 

The laurels of the Warrior are dyed in 
blood and bedewed with the tears of the widow 
and orphan 

The gardens of the world produce only deci- 
duous flowers Perennial ones must be sought 
in the delightful regions above Roses without 
thorns are the growth of paradise alone 

The Almighty from his throne on earth sur- 
veys 

Nought greater than an honest humble heart 

A humble heart his residence pronounced 

His second seat 

Where thy true treasure Gold says not in 
me 

And not in me the diamond Gold is poor 

He loves nobly I speak of friendship who is 
not jealous when he has partners of love 



166 EWGUSH GRAMMAR. 

When Socrates was asked what man ap- 
proached the nearest to perfect happiness he 
answered That man who has the fewest wants 
Directions 
Respecting the use of Capital Letters. 

It was formerly the custom to bea;in every 
noun with a capital: but as this practice was 
troublesome, and gave the writing or printing 
a crowded and confused appearance, it has 
been discontinued. It is, however, very pro- 
per to begin with a capital, 

1. The first word of every book, chapter, 
letter, note, or any other piece of writing. 

2. The first word after a period; and, if the 
two sentences be totally independent, after a 
note of interrogation or exclamation. 

But if a number of interrogative or exclama- 
tory sentences are thrown into one general 
group; or if the construction of the latter sen- 
tences depends on the former, all of them ex- 
cept the first, may begin with a small letter: 
as "How long, ye simple ones, will ve love 
simplicity? and the scorners delight in their 
scorning r and fools hate knowledge ?" "Alas' 
how different ! yet how like the same V 9 

3. The appellations of the deity ; as God, 
Jehovah, the Almighty, the Supreme Being, 
the Lord, Providence, the Messiah, the Holy 
Spirit. 

*. Proper names of persons, places, cities, 
streets, mountains, rivers, ships: as George, 



PUNCTUATION. 167 

York, the Ancles, the Delaware, the Sea- 
horse. 

5. Adjectives derived from the proper names 
of places: as "Grecian, Roman, English, 
French, Italian. " 

6. Words of particular importance: as "The 
Reformation; the Restoration; the Revolu- 
tion." 

7. The first word of a quotation, introduced 
after a colon, or when it is in a direct form : 
as Always remember this ancient maxim: 
" Know thyself !" Our great Lawgiver says, 
"Take up thy cross daily, and follow me" 
But when a quotation is brought in obliquely- 
after a comma, a capital is unnecessary : as 
Solomon observes •« that pride goes before de- 
struction." 

The first word of an example may also very 
properly begin with a capital, as "Tempta- 
tion proves our virtue." 

8. Every noun and princ^al word in the ti- 
tles of books : as " Johnson's Dictionary of 
the English Language ;" " Thomson's Sea- 
sons ;" " Rollings Ancient History." 

9. The first word of every line in poetry. 

10. The pronoun J, and the interjection 1 
are written in capitals : as « I write ;" " Hear, 
O earth !" 

Other words, besides the preceding, may 
begin with capitals, when they are remark- 
ably emphatical, or the principal subject of 
the composition. 



168 ENGXISH GRAMMAS. 

PROSODY. 

Prosody teaches the true pronunciation of 
words, and comprises accent, quantity, empha- 
sis, pause, and tone. 

ACCENT. 

Accent is the laying of a particular stress 
of the voice, on a certain letter or syllable in 
a word, that it may be better heard than the 
rest, or distinguished from them : as table, de- 
light. 

QUANTITY. 

The quantity of a syllable is the time which 
is occupied in pronouncing it ; and is consi- 
dered as either long or short 

A vowel or syllable is long, when the ac- 
cent is on the vowel ; which occasions it to be 
slowly joined in pronunciation with the follow- 
ing letters, as " Fall, bale, house." 

A syllable is short, when the accent is on the 
consonant; which occasions the vowel to be 
quickly joined toAe succeeding letter or let- 
ters: as "art, bonnet." 

A long syllable requires double the time of 
a short one in pronouncing it : as " Mate, mat : 
note, n6t." 

EMPHASIS. 

By emphasis is meant a stronger and fuller 
sound of voice, by which we distinguish some 
word or words on which we design to lay a 
particular stress, and to show how they afftct 
the rest of the sentence : as " His subjects fear 
mm, but they do mt tevc hiim" 



PKOSODY. 160 

PAUSES. 

Pauses or rests, in speaking and reading, 
are a total cessation of tut voice, during a per- 
ceptible, and, in many cases, a measurable 
space of time, 

TONES. 
Tones consist in the modulation of the voice, 
the notes or variations of sound which we em- 
ploy in the expression of our sentiments. 

CHARACTERS. 

The following characters are frequently 
used in composition. 

An apostrophe, marked thus ' is used when 
a word or syllable is contracted : as tho' for 
though : lov'd for loved, 

A Carat, marked thus a shows where a word 
or words should be placed, that have been 

strive 
omitted ; as Thou shouldst to improve. 

A 

A Hyphen, which is thus marked - is used 
to join syllabies, or compound words together; 
as con-strain, to-mor-row, ink-pot. 

The Acute accent marked thus 'denotes a 
short syllable, as fan'cy 

The Grave accent thus v denotes along syl- 
lable : as labour. 

The proper mark to distinguish a long syl- 
lable is this- : as « Rosy ;" and a short one, 
this v as « Folly." This last mark is called 
a Breve. 

P 



1TG ENGLISH GRAMMAS. 

A Diseresis thus marked "■ , shows that two 
vowels form separate syllables: as " Creator." 

A Section is thus marked §. 

A Paragraph, thus fl. 

A quotation has two inverted commas at the 
beginning, and two direct ones at the end of a 
phrase or passage : as 

* The proper study of mankind is man." 

Crotchets or Brackets serve to enclose a 
particular word or sentence. They are mark- 
ed thus []. 

An Index or Hand (j^J^ points out a remark- 
able passage. 

A Brace I unites three poetical lines ; or 



j 



connects a number of words, in prose, with 
one common term. 

An asterisk or little star * directs the read- 
er to same note in the margin. 

An Ellipsis is thus marked : as 

« K — — g, 5? for King. 

An Obelisk, which is marked thus f, and 
Parallels thus []. together with the letters of 
the alphabet, and figures, are used as refer- 
ences to the margin. 

For further information on the subject of Prosody, and 
the laws of Versification ; with the various figures of 
speech, the reader is referred to Lindley Murray's English 
Grammar, Hutchins' Grammar, and Sheridan's Art of 
Reading . 



APPENDIX. 



CORRECTIONS OF FALSE SYNTAX, 

ADAPTED TO THE RULES. 
Under Rule 1. 

Thee must be more attentive to thy studies. 

Not proper, because the pronoun thee is in the objec- 
tive case, and is the subject of the verb must be .-. But when 
a noun or pronoun is the subject, of a verb it must be in 
the nominative case, agreeable to Rule 1. Therefore thee 
should be thou t a personal pronoun, nominative case : thus, 
Thou must be more attentive to thy studies. 

He who is careless and inattentive will not improve. 

They know how to write as well as he .* but he is a bet- 
ter grammarian than they. 

They that oppress the poor to increase their riches, 
shall come to want. 

She that is virtuous deserves esteem. 

Whosoever is contented, enjoys happiness. 

Who made the noise ? /. 

He that thinks twice before he speaks once, will speak 
twice the better for it. 

He admonished all who he thought had been disorderly, 
to be more watchful in future. 

Under Rule 2. 

The girls was here yesterday. 

Not correct, because the verb -was is in the singular 
number, and its subject or nominative girls, is plural. 
But agreeable to Rule 2, a verb must agree with its sub- 
ject or nominative, in number and person. Therefore was 
should be were, a verb of the plural number ; thus * 

The girls were here yesterday. 



±72 APPENDIX. 

Thou should be more diligent in attending to thy studies. 

Not correct, because the verb sfiould be is in the plural 
number, or first or third person singular, and its subject 
thou is in the second person singular : But agreeable to 
Kule 2, a verb must agree with its subject in number and 
person. The sentence should stand thus : 

Thou shouldst be more diligent in attending to thy 
studies. 

Great pains have been taken to little purpose. 

Frequent commission of sin hardens men in it. 

There are many occasions in life, in which silence and 
simplicity are marks of true wisdom. 

lie dares not act contrary to his instructions. 

What avail the best sentiments, if people do not live 
suitably to them ? 

Not one of them whom thou seest > clothed in purple, is 
happy. 

Nothing delights some persons, but vain and foolish pur- 
suits. 

The number of stars that are, at any one time, visible 
to the naked eye, does not much exceed one thousand. 

A variety of pleasing objects charms the eye. 

To live soberly, righteously, and. piously, is required of 
all men. 

The following treatise, together with those which ac- 
company it, -was -written many years ago, for my own satis- 
faction. 

To do unto all men as we would that they, in similar 
circumstances, should do unto us, constitutes the great 
principle of virtue. 

Under Rule 3. 

Sobriety and humility leads to honour. 

Not correct, because the verb leads is in the singular 
number, and has two subjects, sobriety and humility con- 
nected by the conjunction and : But agreeable to Rule 3, 
when a verb has two subjects connected by the conjunc- 
tion and, it must agree with them in the plural number 



APPENDIX. 173 

Therefore leads should be lead, a verb of the plural num- 
ber, and the sentence will stand thus : 
Sobriety and humility lead to honour. 

Patience and diligence, overcome difficulties. 

Humility and knowledge, with poor apparel, excel pride 
and ignorance under costly attire. 

Wisdom, virtue, and happiness, dwell with the humble 
and pure in heart. 

The planetary system, boundless space, and the im- 
mense ocean, affect the mind with sensations of astonish- 
ment. 

What signify the counsel and care of preceptors when 
youth think they have no need of assistance ? 

Time and tide wait for no man. 

The inquisitive and curious are generally talkative. 

To be of a pure and humble mind, to exercise bene- 
volence towards others, and to cultivate piety towards 
God, are the sure means of becoming peaceful and 
happy. 

Humility and love, whatever obscurities may involve 
religious tenets, constitute the essence of true religion. 

And so were also James and John the sons of Zebedee. 

Much do human pride and self-complacency require 
correction. 



Under Rule 4. 

Neither lie nor his son were to be found. 

Not proper, because were is a verb of the plural num- 
ber, not agreeing in number with each of its nominatives 
he and son, connected by the conjunction nor. But when 
two or more subjects of the singular number are con- 
nected by the conjunction or, or nor, the verb must 
agree with each of them in the singular number, agree- 
able to Rule 4. Therefore were should be was, a neuter 
verb of the indicative mood, imperfect tense, agreeing 
P2 



If* APPENDIX. 

with its nominative he or son in the third person singular ; 
Neither he nor his son was to be found. 

Ignorance or negligence has caused this mistake. 

Wealth, or virtue, or any valuable acquisition, is not 
attainable by idle wishes. 

There are many faults in spelling, which neither ana- 
logy nor pronunciation justifies. 

A tart reply, a proneness to rebuke, or a cautious dis- 
position^ capable of embittering domestic life* 

On these causes depends all the happiness or misery 
that exists among men. 

m When sickness, infirmity, or calamity affects us, the 
sincerity of friendship is proved. 

Man's happiness or misery, is, in a great measure, put 
into his own hands. 

Whatever he undertakes, either his pride or his follv 
disgusts US. * J 

Has thy brother or sister been comuUed on the occasion ? 

Under Rule 5. 

Neither they nor he was present. 
Incorrect, because the verb -was is in the singular 
n ?T^ r ' and ia P receded h V tw ° subjects they and he, 
Qi different numbers, connected by the conjunction nor, 
and the plural is not placed next to it. But, agreeable 
to Rule 5, when subjects of different numbers are con- 
nected by the conjunction nor, the verb must agree 
with the plural, which should be placed next to it. There- 
fore was should be were, and the sentence should read 
thus : ' 

Neither he nor they were present. 
Either thou or the boys were in the fault. 
Neither poverty nor riches were injurious to him. 
He could not tell whether one person or two, had as- 
sisted him in the transaction. 
The deceitfulness of riches, or the cares of this life, 



APPENDIX. $7i 

have choked the seeds of virtue in many a promising 
mind. 

He or they have much cause to be displeased with the 
treatment received. 

Some parts of the ship and cargo were recovered ; but 
neither the captain nor the sailors -were saved. 

Whether one person, or more than one were concerned 
in the business, does not yet appear. 

Either the driver, the carriage, or the horses -were out 
of order. 

Under Rule 6. 

The church have no po-wer to inflict corporal punishments. 

Not correct, because the verb have is in the plural 
number, and its subject church is a noun of multitude that 
conveys unity of idea : But agreeable to Rule 6, when the 
subject is a noun of multitude which conveys unity of 
idea, the verb must agree with it in the singular number. 
Therefore have should be has, and the sentence will read 
thus : 

The church has no power to inflict corporal punish.* 
inents. 

The people rejoice in that which should cause sorrow, 

The flock, and not the fleece, is, or ought to be the ob- 
ject of the shepherd's care. 

In the days of youth the multitude eagerly pursue plea- 
sure. 

The court has just ended t after having sat through the 
trial of a very long cause. 

The family -were all well when we left home yesterday* 

No society is chargeable with the disapproved conduct 
of particular members. 

The committee -were divided in sentiment, and they 
have referred the business to the general meeting. 

Why does this generation look for greater evidence, 
when so much is already given ? 

The council -were not unanimous; and they separatef; 
without coming to any eonclusisn. « 



±76 APPENDIX. 

Never was any other people so much infatuated "as the 
Jewish nation. 

Under Rule 7. 

1 do not think any person should he. censured for being cave- 
fid of their reputation. 

Not proper, because the pronoun their is in the plural 
number, and its antecedent person, is singular : But, a 
pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number, gen- 
der, and person, agreeable to Rule 7. Therefore their 
should be his, thus : 

I do not think any person should be censured for being 
careful of his reputation. 

" Rebecca took goodly raiment which was with her in 
the house, and puti* on Jacob." 

Each of them in his turn receives the benefits to which 
lie is entitled. 

Neither of these men seems to have any idea that his 
opinions are ill founded. 

Every person, whatever be his station, should attend to 
the duties of religion and morality. 

Let each of us cheerfully bear his part in the general 
burden. 

If an animal should be taken out of its instinct, we 
should find it wholly deprived of understanding. 

An orator's tongue should be agreeable to the ears of 
Jus auditors. 

Under Rule 8. 

Sis politeness and good disposition -were, on failure of its 
effect, entirely changed. 

Improper, because the pronoun its is in the singular 
number, and has two antecedents, politeness and disposi- 
tion, connected by the conjunction and: Rut, according 
to Rule 8, when a pronoun refers to two antecedents con- 
nected by the conjunction and, it must agree with them 
in the plural number. Therefore its should be their, a per- 
sonal pronoun, agreeing with its two antecedents, polite- 
ness and disposition, in the third person plural, thus : 

His politeness and good disposition were on failure of 
their effect, entirely changed. 



APPENDIX. 



ir: 



Religion and knowledge exceed wealth and grandeur, 
and tkeij will render their possessor more honourable. 

Avoid haughtiness of behaviour, and affectation of man- 
ners, for they will assuredly bring thee to disgrace. 

Observe thy father's commandment, and the law of thy 
mother : bind them continually on thy heart. 

Pride and vanity will ever render their possessor des- 
picable in the eves of the wise. 

Coffee and sugar are imported from the West Indies, 
and great quantities of them are used every year. 

Under Rule 9. 

Either knowledge or virtue is preferable to riches : strive* 
therefore* early in youth to attain them. 

Not proper, because them is a pronoun of the plural 
number, not agreeing in number with each of its ante- 
cedents knowledge and virtue, connected by the con- 
junction or : But when a pronoun has two or more ante- 
cedents of the singular number, connected by the con- 
junction or, it must agree with each of them in the singu- 
lar number, agreeable to Rule 9. Therefore them should 
be it, a personal pronoun, agreeing with its antecedent 
knowledge or virtue in the third person singular ; thus : 

Either knowledge or virtue is preferable to riches,; 
strive, therefore, early in youth to attain it. 

Despise no infirmity of mind or body, nor any condition 
of life, for it may be thy own lot. 

Either work or play is preferable to idleness, because 
it furnishes us with healthful exercise. 

A man may see a metaphor or an allegory in a picture, 
as well as read it in a book. 

A or an is called the indefinite article, because it re- 
lates to one of a kind, but not to one in particular. 

We are not such machines as a clock or a watch, which 
will move only as it is moved. 

Under Rule 10, 

When the nation complains the nders should listen to thek 
voice. 
Not correct, because the pronoun their is in the phir 



178 



APJPE^WX'. 



rat number, and its antecedent nation, is a noun trf mul- 
titude conveying unity of idea : But, agreeable to Rule 
10, when a pronoun refers to a noun of multitude which 
conveys unity of idea, it must be in the singular number, 
Therefore the sentence should read thus : ' 

When the nation complains, the rulers should listen to 
its voice. 

The crowd was so great, that we had much difficulty 
to pass through it. 

In the days of youth, the multitude eagerly pursue 
pleasure as their chief good. 

The committee were divided in sentiment ; and they 
have referred the business to the general meeting. 

The company was very small "at first, but it increased 
daily. 

Why do the people rejoice in that which should give 
them sorrow f 

. The school was adjourned and it has not been collected 
since. 

Under Rule 11. 

I have not seen my parents this six months. 

Not proper, because this is an adjective of the singular 
number, and the noun months to which it relates, is plu- 
ral. But the adjectives this, that, &c. must agree in num- 
ber with the nouns to which they relate, agreeable to 
Rule 11, Therefore this should be these, an adjective 
relating to the noun months and agreeing with it in the 
plural number ; thus : 

I have not seen my parents these six months. 

Please to give me those scissors. 

That sort of favours did real injurv under the appear- 
ance of kindness. 

We do not approve of tMs £md of practices, as it does 
not comport with a guarded education. 

Instead of improving yourselves, you have beenDlayinsr 
trtese two hours. & 

This kind of indulgence softens and injures the mind. 



AOT&NDIX-. *** 

Under Rule 12. 

Thy ancestors virtue is not tliine. 

Not correct, because the noun ancestors, which is used 
with the noun virtue to signify, possession, is not in the 
possessive case : But, according to Rule 12, when two 
nouns are used together, implying possession, the latter 
governs the former in the possessive case. The sentence 
should read thus : 

Thy ancestor's virtue is not thine. 

A wise man's anger is of short continuance. 

Thy father's offence will not condemn thee. 

Wisdom's precepts are the good boy's greatest de- 
light. 

Hast thou read Cowper's Poems? 

The girls' books were kept in better order than the 
boys'. 

Under Rule 13. 

I gave my book to James, my cousin, he ivho -was here 
yesterday* 
Not correct, because the personal pronoun he, is in 
the nominative case, and the noun James which it is used 
to explain, is in the objective case : But, according to 
Rule 13, when a personal pronoun is used to explain a 
preceding noun, it is in apposition with it, and must be 
in the same case. He should be him % and the sentence 
read thus : 

I gave my book to James, my cousin, mm wiio was 
here yesterday. , 

This horse belongs to Samuel, the carpenter, him wno 
built the house. - T 

Augustus, the Roman Emperor, he who succeeded Ju- 
lius Caesar, is variously described. 

These books are my friend's, his who keeps the li- 
brary. 1 t - 

The estate was left to Simon and John tne two eldest 
sons, them that had been to Europe, 



!S0 APPENDIX. 

Art thou acquainted with Clarissa the milliner, her 
whom we met in our walk this morning- ? 

Under Rule 14. 

Him having ended his discourse, the assembly dispersed. 

Incorrect, because the pronoun him is in the objective 
case, and is connected with the participle having ended, 
as its subject: But when a noun or pronoun is connected 
with a participle as its subject, it must be in the nvmina- 
five case. The sentence should stand thus : 

He having ended his discourse, the assembly dispersed. 

They being willing to improve, the study was rendered 
agreeable. 

She being absent, the business was attended to by 
others. f 

They all had liberty to go, we only excepted. 

The sun having risen, it became verv warm. 

They were all more or less censurable, she only except- 
ed, who was veiy circumspect in her conduct. 

Thou having been unwatchful, the work is rendered 
more difficult. 

Under Rule ±5. 

psoras events had not fell out very unexpectedly, 1 should 
have been present. 

Not correct, because the verb fell which is in the im- 
perfect tense, is connected with the auxiliary had. But, 
a 7 eeable to Kule 15, a verb of the imperfect tense must 
not be connected with an auxiliary. Fell should be fallen, 
and the sentence read thus : 

If some events had not fallen out very unexpectedly, I 
should have been present. 

He soon begun to be -weary of having notMng to do .- 
Not proper, because the perfect participle begun is 
used instead of the imperfect tense began .- But, accord- 



APPENDIX. iSi 

ing* to Rule 15, the perfect participle must not be used 
instead of the imperfect tense. The sentence should read 
thus : 

He soon began to be weary of having nothing to do. 

I was in London a year, and saw the king last sum- 
mer. 

He writes as the best authors would have -written on the 
same subject. 

He would have gone with us, if we had asked him. 

They have chosen the part of honour and virtue. 

The house -was shaken by the violence of the storm. 

He had -written and read much on the subject. 

I saw my old friend last week. 

They who have borne a part in the labour, shall share 
the peward. 

By too eager a pursuit he ran a great risk of being dis- 
appointed. 

When the rules have been wantonly broken, there can 
be no plea for favour. 

He would not have gone, if he had known it. 

You who have forsaken your friends, are entitled to no 
confidence. 

Under Rule 16. 

He that is idle and mischievous, reprove sharply. 

Not correct, because the pronoun he is in the nomina- 
tive case, and is the object of the transitive verb reprove : 
But according to Rule 16, a transitive verb governs the 
noun or pronoun, which is its object, in the objective 
case. The sentence should read thus : 

Him that is idle and mischievous, reprove sharply. 

You are displeased with me for admonishing you* 

He invited my brother and me to see his garden. 

If he will not hear his best friend, -whom shall we send 
to admonish him. 

They who have laboured to make us wise and good, 
are the persons -whom we ought particularly to love and 
respect. 

Whatever others do, let thee and me perform our.dutv. 

Q 



*&2 APPENDIX. 

Whom did they send on- that important embassy ? 

You who were dead, hath he quickened. 

Him and them we know, but who are you ? 

We should love, fear, and obey the Author of our be- 
ing, even Him who has power to reward or punish us for 
ever. l 

Under Rule 17. 

Thou art him tvho sold the boohs. 
Not proper, because him is a pronoun in the objective 
ease, following the neuter verb art, which is preceded by 
tiie nominative thou; But neuter verbs, followed by a 
noun or pronoun, must have the same case after as be- 
fore them, agreeable to Rule 17. Therefore him should 
be he, a personal pronoun, of the third person singular, 
nominative following the neutre verb art, thus • 

Thou art he who sold the books. 

I believed it to be them who raised the report. 

Be composed, it is /.- you have no cause to fear 

I cannot tell who has thus befriended me, unless it is 
he From whom I have received so many favours. 

It was not /who made the noise. 
^ I would act the same part if I were he, or in his situa- 
tion. 

He so much resembled his brother, that at first sieht I 
took it to be him. & ' 

It could not have been she, for she always acts dis- 
creetly. J 

He is not the person -who he appeared to be ; or bet- 
ter, He is not the person that he appeared to be. 

After all their professions, is it possible it was they ? 

It might have been he, but there is no proof of it. 

If it was not he, -whom do you imagine it to have 
been; or better, If it was not he, tvho do you think it 
waso 

Under Rule 18. 

J need not to solicit him to do a kind action. 
Kot correct, because the verb solicit in the infinitive 



APPENDIX. 183 

mood, following the verb need, is attended by the pre- 
position to : But, according to Rule 18, when a verb in 
the infinitive mood follows the verb need, the preposi- 
tion to should be omitted. The sentence should read 
thus : 

I need not solicit him to do a kind action. 

And the multitude wondered when they saw those 
that had been lame, walk ; and those that had been blind, 
see. 

I think I should not dare do it. 

They need not go at this time. 

I bade him shut the door. 

It is the difference of their conduct, which makes us 
approve the one and reject the other. 

We may see some persons behave very prudently on 
such occasions. 

Under Rule 19. 

Though the fact be extraordinary, it certainly did happen. 

Not correct, because the verb be has the form of the 
elliptical future tense of the subjunctive mood, and re- 
fers to present time : But, according to Rule 19, this el- 
liptical form must not be used when there is not a di- 
rect reference to future time. Be should be is, a neuter 
verb of the present tense, and the sentence will read 
thus : 

Though the fact is extraordinary, it certainly did hap- 
pen. 

No one engages in that business, unless he aitns at re- 
putation. 

If he but intimates his desire, it is sufficient to produce 
obedience. 

If he speaks only to display his abilities, he is unworthy 
of attention. 

If he is in health, I am content. 

Though the design is laudable, it will involve him in 
much anxietv. 



18£ APPENDIX. 

If thou censwest uncharitably, thou deservest no fa- 
vour. 

Whether he thinks as he speaks, time will show. 

If thou givest liberally, thou art entitled to a liberal re- 
ward. 

Unless the statement deceives me, my estate is consi- 
derably improved. 

Though he is high, he hath respect to the lowly. 

Under Rule 20. 

Was 1 to enumerate all her virtues, it would look like flat- 
tery. 

Not correct, because the verb was, which refers to pre- 
sent time, is in the imperfect tense of the subjunctive 
mood, and has not the same form as that used in the plu- 
ral number : But, according to Rule 20, when the imper- 
fect tense of the verbfo be, in the subjunctive mood, refers 
to present time, it must have the same form in the singu- 
lar number that it has in the plural. The sentence should 
read thus • 

Were I to enumerate all her virtues, it would look like 
flattery. 

Although he was thy friend, he did not justify thy con- 
duct. 

As the governess -was present, the children behaved 
properly. 

Were he ever so great and opulent, this conduct would 
debase him. 

It would be well if the report -were only the misrepre- 
sentation of his enemies. 

If he -was there, he can give us an account of the trans- 
action. 

Though I -were perfect, yet would I not presume. 

Yet that -were vain, if dreams infest the grave. 

If he was guilty, there is no evidence of the fact. 

Were man to live coeval with the sun, the patriarch 
pupil would be learning still. 

I would tkat thou tvert either cold or hot. 



APPENDIX. 185 

Oh! that thou tvert as my brother. 
Remember that thou toast a servant in the land of 
Egypt. 

Under Rule 21. 

If thou sincerely desire, and earnestly pursuesl virtue, slie -will 
be found of thee. 

Not correct, because the verb pursuest, is in the present 
tense, and is connected by the conjunction and, with the 
verb desire, which is in the first future tense (the auxiliary 
shalt understood) and the nominative thou is not repeat- 
ed : But, according* to Rule 21, when verbs are connected 
by a conjunction, and the nominative not repeated, they 
must agree in mood and tense. The sentence should 
read thus : 

If thoo. sincerely desire and earnestly pursue virtue, she 
will be round of thee. 

She xv as once proud, but is now humble. 

Improper, because the nominative she is not repeated, 
the verb is, being necessarily in a different tense from 
the verb -was, with which it is connected by the conj unc- 
tion but: But, according to Rule 21, when verbs are con- 
nected by a conjunction, if there is a necessary change 
of tense, the nominative must be repeated. The sen- 
tence should read thus : 

She was once proud, hut she is now humble. 

Did he not strive to improve his mind, and diligently 
labour to increase his knowledge ? 

He would neither do it himself, nor suffer another to 
doit. 

He does not want courage, but he is defective in sensi- 
bility. 

Learning strengthens the mind, and, if properly ap- 
plied, it will improve our morals too. 

He might have been happy, and he is now fully con- 
vinced of it. 

Q2 



1$6 APPENDIX. 

He is very wealthy, but he is not happy. 

u Doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and go into 
the wilderness to seek that which is lost ?" 

Our season of improvement is short ; and whether im- 
proved or not, it will soon pass away. 

.Rank may confer influence, but it will not necessarily 
produce virtue. 

Under Rule 22. 

I have written to my friend last -week, but have yet received 
no answer. 

Not correct, because the verb have -written is in the per- 
fect tense, ' and refers to a period of time that has fully 
passed: But, according" to Rule 22, in the use of a verb 
and words, that in point of time, relate to each other, the 
osder of time must be preserved. The sentence should 
read thus : 

I -wrote to my friend last week, but /have yet received 
no answer. 

If he arrives in time, he -will go to the city in the stage* 

Not correct, because the verb arrives is in the present 
tense, and refers to future time : but, according to Rule 
22, in the use of verbs and words, that in point of time, 
relate to each other, the order of time should be observed. 
The sentence should read thus : 

If he arrive in time, (shall being* understood) he will go 
to the city in the stage. 

He is a person whom I have remembered these many 
years. 

After we had visited the city, we returned, content, and 
thankful, to our retired and peaceful habitation. 

At the time of his return, if he be expert in his busi- 
ness, he will find employment. 

Unless he learn faster, he will be no scholar. 

No one will engage in that business, unless he aim at 
reputation. 



y 



APPENDIX, 187 

However that affair terminate, his conduct will be un- 
impeachable. 

Until repentance shall have composed his mind, he will 
be a stranger to peace. 

His sea-sickness was so great, that I often feared he 
•would die before our arrival. 

I have compassion on the multitude, because they have 
continued with me now three days. 

After his journey, he was much changed from what he 
had been before. 

The next new year's day, I shall have been at school 
three years. 

I propose to go to the city next week, and afcer I shall 
have Jinishedmy business there, to proceed to the Southern 
States. 

John will have earned his wages, when his service shall . 
be completed. 

It required so much care that I feared I should lose it 
before I reached home. 

Under Rule 23. 

He is the strongest of the tivo. 

Not correct, because the adjective strongest, which is 
used in a comparison between two persons only, is in 
the superlative degree. But, according to Rule 23, when 
an adjective is used in a comparison between two per- 
sons only, it must be in the ^comparative degree. There- 
fore strongest should be stronger, an adjective of the com- 
parative degree, thus : 

He is the stronger o*f the two. 

This is the best apple of the three. 

James and Samuel are brothers, and though James is 
the elder, Samuel is the taller of the two. 

Which of those three kites is the highest ? 

His parents frequently visited him but his mother much 
the oftener. Or, much more frequently, than his father. 



188 APPENDIX. 

Which is the better reader, Thomas or his, sister ? 

The fable says, " The oak and the willow once had a 
dispute which was the stronger. 39 

Samuel and Thomas are studying grammar : but as the 
latter is the more diligent of the two, he will probably at- 
tain the knowledge of it the sooner. Or, as the latter is 
more diligent than the former, he will probably attain the 
knowledge of it sooner. 

A talent of this kind would, perhaps, prove likelier than 
any other to succeed. 

Under Rule 2i. 

By the exercising our judgment, it is improved. 

Not correct, because the preposition ©/does not follow 
the active participle exercising, which is preceded by the 
article the. But, according to Rule 24, when an active 
participle is preceded by an article, it must be followed 
by the preposition of; both of which should be used, or 
both omitted. The sentence should read, thus : 

By the exercising of our judgment, it is improved. 
Or, the article the should be omitted, thus : 

By exercising our judgment, it is improved. 

It is an overvaluing of ourselves, to reduce every thing 
to the narrow measure of our own capacities. 

By observing truth, thou wilt command esteem as well 
as secure peace. 

A person cannot be wise or good, without taking pains 
for it. 

The loving of our enemies is a divine command ; Or, 
loving our enemies. 

Learning languages is very difficult : Or, The learning 
@f languages is very difficult. 

By reading books written by the best authors, his mind 
became highly improved. 

Not attending to this rule is the cause of a very common 
error ; Or ? to ant of attention to this rule, &c» 



APPENDIX. 189 

Under Rule 25. 

He acted agreeable to Ms promise. 

Not proper, because the adjective agreeable is used in- 
stead of an adverb to express the manner of the verb 
acted. But, according to Rule 25, an adjective should 
not be used instead of an adverb to express the manner 
of the verb. Therefore agreeable should be agreeably, 
and the sentence read thus : 

He acted agreeably to his promise. 

He speaks very fluently, but he does not reason very 
coherently. 

The task was the more easily performed, from the cheer- 
fulness with which they engaged in it. 

He conducted himself very unsuitably to his profession. 

She writes very neatly, and spells accurately. 

He was so deeply impressed with the subject, that few 
could 3peak more nobly upon it. 

Alas ! they are miserably poor. 

He was extremely prodigal ; and his property is now 
nearly exhausted. 

Under Rule 26. 

I think I cannot help him no more. 

Not correct, because the two negative words, not and 
no, are used in the same simple sentence to express a 
negative meaning. But, agreeable to Rule 26, two ne- 
gative words should not be used in the same simple sen- 
tence to express a negative meaning. The sentence 
should be thus : 

I think I can help him no more ; Or, I think I cannot 
help him any more. 

Nothing ever affected him so much as this misconduct 
of his friend. 

Do not interrupt me thyself, nor let any one disturb 
my retirement. Or, Neither interrupt me thyself, nor let 
any one, &?c. 

Death spare th none. 



190 APPENDIX, 

I can give no more for it. Or, / cannot give any more 
for it. 

Be honest and take no shape or semblance of disguise. 

Under Rule 27. 

JVe ought to thankfully receive the many blessings with which 
we are favoured. 

Not proper, because the adverb thankfully is placed 
between the preposition to and the verb receive, which 
governs it. But, an adverb should not be placed be- 
tween a verb of the infinitive mood and the preposition 
to which governs it, agreeable to Rule 27. Therefore 
the adjective thankfully should precede the preposition 
to, thus : 

We ought thankfully to receive the many blessings with 
which we are favoured. 

Please not to interrupt me. 

We should strive daily to improve our precious time. . 

She is said excellently to have performed her part. 

Always to keep in view the uncertainty of time, is the 
way rightly to estimate it. 

Under Rule 28. 

Who did lie give the book to ? 

Not correct, because the pronoun who is in the nomina* 
five case, and is the object of the preposition to. But, 
according to Rule 28, a preposition governs the noun or 
pronoun, which is its object, in the objective case. The 
sentence should read thus : 

To whom did he give the book ? 

He placed the suspicion on somebody in the company ; 
I know not on whom. 

From whom didst thou receive that intelligence ? 

Does the boy know to whom he spoke ? 

Associate not thyself with those of whom none can 
speak well. 

I hope it is not I whom thou art displeased with. Or, 
■with whom thou art displeased* 



APPENDIX. 191 

^'hat concord can subsist between those who commit 
crimes, and them that abhor them ? 

From the character of those persons tvitlt -whom you 
associate, your own will be estimated. 

Under Rule 29. 

We should entertain no prejudice to simple and rustic persons,. 

Not correct, because the relation between the verb en*> 
tertain, and the noun prejudice in the former part of the 
sentence, and the noun persons in the latter part, is not 
appropriately expressed by the preposition to. But, ac- 
cording 1 to Rule 29, in the use of prepositions, particular 
care should be taken to express the relations by appro** 
priate words. The sentence should read thus : 

We should entertain no prejudice against simple and 
rustic persons. 

The first proposal -was essentially different, and inferior to tlie 
second. 

Not correct, because the relation between the adjec- 
tive different and the noun proposal (understood at the 
end of the sentence) is not clearly expressed by the pre- 
position to. But, according to Rule 29, in the use of pre- 
positions, care should be taken to express the relations 
by appropriate words. The sentence should read thus ; 

The first proposal was essentially different from the 
second, and inferior to it. 

Solid peace and contentment co?isist neither in beauty or 
riches. 

Not correct, because the conjunction or h used to cor- 
respond with neither. But, agreeable to the observations 
under Rule 29, neither requires nor as a corresponding 
word. The sentence should read thus : 

Solid peace and contentment consist neither in beauty 
nor riches. 

Several alterations have been made in the work, and 
some additions to it. 

Her 9obriety and silence are no derogation from her 
understanding, 



192 APPENDIX. 

This place is not so pleasant as we expected. 

So far as I am able to judge, the book is well written. 

Neither has he, nor have any other persons suspected 
so much dissimulation. 

The king of France, or the king of England was to have 
been the umpire. 

We can carefully confide in none but the truly good. 

Sincerity is as valuable as knowledge, and even [more 
valuable. 

Whatever we do secretly, shall be displayed in the 
clearest light. 

We are often disappointed in things, which, before 
possession, promised much enjoyment. 

I have no occasion for his services. 

He was accused ©/"having acted dishonourably. 

Though the practice is conformable to custom, it is not 
warrantable. 

Many have profited by good advice. 

The deaf man whose ears were opened, and -whose 
tongue -was loosened, doubtless glorified the great physi- 
cian. 

Under Rule 30. 

Oh! thee, -who art so unmindful of thy duty* 

Not proper, because thee is a pronoun of the second 
person, objective case, following the interjection Oh/ 
But interjections require the nominative case of a noun 
or pronoun of the second or third person after them, 
agreeable to Rule 30. Therefore thee should be thou, a 
personal pronoun of the second person singular, nomina- 
tive case, following the interjection Oh / thus : 

Oh ! thou, who art so unmindful of thy duty. 

Ah ! wretched me, how ungrateful ! 

Oh ! happy they, surrounded with so many blessings. 

Hail ! thou, that art highly favoured. 

How swiftly our time passes away ! and ah ! us, how lit- 
tle concerned to improve it ! 

Welcome thou, who hast been so long expected* 

THE END- 




)/lf- 









LIBR ARY 



Z^OREss 




